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how do you comfort someone who has received bad news

by Mylene Smith Published 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago

  1. Instead of repeating cliches, respond with meaningful, heartfelt words of encouragement. ...
  2. Offer specific ideas for ways to help instead of saying “Let me know if you need anything.” Chances are, if you ask someone what they need, they will not ...
  3. Check in on your friend frequently, even after the news has worn off

Here are three things you may want to say but should skip:
  1. "I know how you feel." ...
  2. "Look on the bright side." ...
  3. "Everything happens for a reason." ...
  4. "I'm sorry this is happening to you." ...
  5. "What do you need right now--and what don't you need?" ...
  6. "I wish I knew exactly what to say, but I don't.
Feb 14, 2019

Full Answer

How to cope with bad news?

How to Cope With Bad News 1 Deep breathing Just after receiving bad news, it's very important to regain control over our emotions. Start by regulating your breathing. ... 2 Contextualization Try to frame the bad news, to put it into its proper context. ... 3 Negative visualization Now focus on the bad news itself. ... More items...

What to say when someone gets bad medical news?

3 Practical Things to Say & Do When Someone Gets Bad Medical News 1. Instead of repeating cliches, respond with meaningful, heartfelt words of encouragement. Today, I had an emergency... 2. Offer specific ideas for ways to help instead of saying “Let me know if you need anything.” Chances are, if ...

How can I help someone who has been hit by bad news?

This is a practical option if you’re great at this kind of stuff [not me!], and it’s free. Sure, your friend might be physically able to do this [maybe], but a lot of times people battling bad news need help with the simple, everyday things. Send over some basic things via Amazon like paper plates, paper towels, toilet paper, dish soap, etc.

What does it feel like when you get bad news?

You’ve been diagnosed with a life-changing condition. Bad news can leave us in a state of dread and despair. It seems like our whole world is falling apart, almost as if we’re being driven into the ground. We fearthe very worst and cannot get it out of our mind, or gut.

Who suggested writing a love letter to their partner when the other person is upset?

But, it is particularly powerful, and plenty of research reveals the benefits of writing about afflictiveemotions. The prolific mindfulness teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh, often suggestspeoplewrite a love letter to their partner when the other person is upset.

Is it easy to get lost in stories?

It’s easy to get lost in stories ofanger, resentment, anxiety, negativity, and sadness. These are all forms ofsuffering. It is difficult to truly be with another person who is suffering. But, here are 7 tips for making it more manageable for you and helping them along the way:

Does Psych Central review?

Psych Central does not review the content that appears in our blog network (blogs.psychcentral.com) prior to publication. All opinions expressed herein are exclusively those of the author alone, and do not reflect the views of the editorial staff or management of Psych Central. Published on PsychCentral.com.

How to be a good person?

Be kind to yourself. In particular, make sure that you get enough sleep and exercise, while also avoiding numbing behaviors, such as binge drinking and drug taking.

How can being with others help us?

Being with others can help us to work through our thoughts and feelings and regain calm and perspective. Other activities that can help with this include spending time in nature and enjoying or engaging in art, including writing, painting, and music. 7. Physical well-being.

What to do if you can't find someone?

If you can't find anyone suitable, or you're after something more structured, you can seek out professional support from a counselor, pastor, or doctor, or call one of several helplines. If you turn to the Internet for information and support, beware of unverified web pages and open chat rooms.

How to stop a bad situation?

Beware of acting rashly, depleting your resources, and making a bad situation worse. Instead, take a step back and priorit ize. Think laterally, act strategically, and keep in mind that gentle action, or even no action at all, may well be your best option.

What does bad news mean?

Your bad news may represent a learning or strengthening experience, or act as a wake-up call, or force you to reassess your priorities. At the very least, it offers a window into the human condition and an opportunity to exercise dignity and self-control.

How to get over bad news?

Just after receiving bad news, it's very important to regain control over our emotions. Start by regulating your breathing. Breathe in deeply through your nose and hold the air in for several seconds. Then purse your lips and gradually let the air out. Let out as much air as you can.

What are the emotions that are mangled in our mind?

We fear the very worst and cannot get it out of our mind, or gut. Often there are other emotions mangled in, like anger, guilt, despair, betrayal, and love. Bad news: we’ve all had it, and we’re all going to get it.

Why do we offer bon mot?

Typically, we offer this bon mot because we're uncomfortable that someone else is uncomfortable. We want them to feel better quickly for their own benefit, of course, but also so that we don't have to experience the pain, frustration or disappointment by association. When we do this--even with the best of intentions--we're denying our peer their right to feel their feelings.

Is it "I'm sorry" or "I'm sorry"?

Yes, it's a tiny bit about you ("I'm sorry") but it's mostly expressing your awareness and compassion for the fact that your colleague is going through something upsetting. It also is morally neutral - it's happening "to you" rather than "you brought this on yourself."

Should friends respond to bad news?

ANSWER. Yes, friends should respond to bad news and should do so within a reasonable timeframe. The correct response upon hearing bad news is to express sympathy and see if there is some way you can help or support your friend in crisis—whether the bad news pertains to sickness, divorce, loss of employment, or death.

Can you be sure if someone read your email?

Also with emails (especially if they go out to a group), you can never be sure if someone received it, read it, or fully understood its importance. If you are coping with a crisis, you are probably feeling sensitive and vulnerable to slights right now.

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