A temporary or chronic illness can affect a person’s physical and emotional health. When they are not dealing with unpleasant symptoms, they might experience feelings of frustration, anger, or sadness.
As their partner, friend, or family member, you will likely want to lift their spirits and help them make a swift recovery. Thankfully, there are many ways you can make them feel better and more like their old selves. Find out how to comfort a sick loved one.
Send Flowers to Their Home
The little things will make a big difference to a loved one’s mood when unwell. If a person feels loved and supported when ill, it will help them adopt a positive outlook that will support their recovery.
Give your other half, friend, or relative a reason to smile by sending a stunning floral arrangement to their home, which will be lovingly created by talented florists. The unexpected bouquet will prove how sorry you are to hear they are unwell and may make them feel happier during a tough time.
Offer Physical Touch
Never underestimate the power of physical touch. It encourages the release of oxytocin (the bonding hormone) in the brain, which can encourage the release of additional feel-good hormones, such as serotonin and dopamine. As a result, it will reduce their stress levels and decrease their heart rate and blood pressure. When appropriate, hug your poorly loved one, hold their hand, or touch their arm.
Listen to Them
Sometimes all a loved one needs is someone to listen to them when they feel unwell. As mentioned, an illness could affect almost every aspect of a person’s life, from their physical health to their general mood. For this reason, you shouldn’t be afraid to ask how they are feeling and to provide them with the space to air their emotions before responding thoughtfully. The act of talking could make your loved one feel like a weight has been lifted off their shoulders, which could be enough to help them pick themselves up and focus on caring for their health.
Spend Quality Time Together
A sick loved one might not want to talk about how they feel, but they might enjoy spending quality time with you. For example, watching one or more happy films together could take their mind off their unpleasant symptoms and make them feel happier and healthier. Alternatively, you could play cards, board games, or complete a puzzle.
Complete Tasks and Chores
The last thing a loved one might want to do when unwell is complete household chores, go food shopping or cook meals. For this reason, you should ask how you can help while they relax in bed or on the sofa. For example, you could batch-cook meals for them to reheat, clean rooms across the property, or pick up items they need from a local shop or supermarket. The small tasks could lower their stress levels, boost their mood, and make them feel happier at home.