We are faced with negative attitudes on a daily basis and although we cannot change people, we can help them to find an alternative and more positive perspective when they are feeling down or under pressure.
The best thing we can do for those we know who are having problems; is to just sit and listen to what they have to say.
Let them vent and get rid of all that negative emotion without trying to talk them out of it.
Trying to tell people: "You shouldn't feel that way," Or "stop worrying, everything will be fine," does not help at all as all we are doing is trivializing their reasons for being unhappy.
It is a good idea to just nod and occasionally say, "mm" or "oh" just to let them know we want them to continue.
We all lose perspective when we are under pressure.
A seemingly small mishap can suddenly become something catastrophic.
If you see a friend suffering and going through a stressful time, the best thing you can do is just sit with them and show them that they will be able to cope with whatever happens.
Try this technique, next time a friend of yours is stressed out.
What's the worst that can happen? 1.
When a person you care about is having difficulty overcoming a challenge, advise them to take a break and take them away from their everyday surroundings and to somewhere more relaxing like a park or cafe.
2.
Ask them to share their problem or fear with you.
For example, if they are approaching an exam day, they may be feeling worried that they might not pass or get the marks they need.
3.
Question your friend's worst case scenario and remind them of the exams they passed in order to get to this point, and how well they did.
4.
Next, even though you do not think it is going to happen, explore the worst case scenario with your friend.
Show them that failing the exam would give them an opportunity to try again, and be better prepared next time, having learned from the failure.
5.
Encourage your friend to imagine the best that can happen and visualize how good it will feel when it does happen.
We all need someone to just listen and let us vent sometimes, unfortunately, not many people will JUST listen.
Use the above technique and allow the other person to experience their stress and voice their fear, then gently lead them out of it to the greener pastures of optimism on the other side.
The best thing we can do for those we know who are having problems; is to just sit and listen to what they have to say.
Let them vent and get rid of all that negative emotion without trying to talk them out of it.
Trying to tell people: "You shouldn't feel that way," Or "stop worrying, everything will be fine," does not help at all as all we are doing is trivializing their reasons for being unhappy.
It is a good idea to just nod and occasionally say, "mm" or "oh" just to let them know we want them to continue.
We all lose perspective when we are under pressure.
A seemingly small mishap can suddenly become something catastrophic.
If you see a friend suffering and going through a stressful time, the best thing you can do is just sit with them and show them that they will be able to cope with whatever happens.
Try this technique, next time a friend of yours is stressed out.
What's the worst that can happen? 1.
When a person you care about is having difficulty overcoming a challenge, advise them to take a break and take them away from their everyday surroundings and to somewhere more relaxing like a park or cafe.
2.
Ask them to share their problem or fear with you.
For example, if they are approaching an exam day, they may be feeling worried that they might not pass or get the marks they need.
3.
Question your friend's worst case scenario and remind them of the exams they passed in order to get to this point, and how well they did.
4.
Next, even though you do not think it is going to happen, explore the worst case scenario with your friend.
Show them that failing the exam would give them an opportunity to try again, and be better prepared next time, having learned from the failure.
5.
Encourage your friend to imagine the best that can happen and visualize how good it will feel when it does happen.
We all need someone to just listen and let us vent sometimes, unfortunately, not many people will JUST listen.
Use the above technique and allow the other person to experience their stress and voice their fear, then gently lead them out of it to the greener pastures of optimism on the other side.
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