{"id":4002,"date":"2021-06-20T23:07:36","date_gmt":"2021-06-21T04:07:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dontpanicdothis.com\/?p=4002"},"modified":"2022-09-07T15:16:40","modified_gmt":"2022-09-07T20:16:40","slug":"how-to-comfort-someone-over-text","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dontpanicdothis.com\/how-to-comfort-someone-over-text\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Comfort Someone Over Text"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s always good to know how to comfort a friend or family member who\u2019s feeling anxious or upset. Thanks to cellphones, we can even lend emotional support from far away. This is why it\u2019s so important to know how to comfort someone over text.<\/p>\n

The best way to comfort someone over text is by using the RUOK Method. This involves recognizing the problem, understanding how to best help, offering a listening ear, and keeping the conversation about them. Implemented correctly, the RUOK Method can be used to comfort someone from anywhere in the world.<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you haven\u2019t heard of the RUOK Method before, don\u2019t feel bad. This is actually a system that we\u2019ve recently invented to help others comfort someone in need.<\/p>\n

Read on to become an RUOK Method expert at comforting someone over text. If additional resources are required, feel free to check out our complete system for beating anxiety<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Quick Tips for How to Comfort Someone Over Text<\/strong><\/h2>\n

TIP #1 <\/p>\n

Ask if They’d Like to Talk<\/h3>\n

If you\u2019re not sure how to best comfort a friend, it\u2019s okay to ask. Maybe they could use some advice, maybe they just need to vent, or maybe they could use a hand around the house. Don\u2019t guess; ask.<\/p>\n

TIP #2 <\/p>\n

Volunteer Specific Help<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Last year, my cousin was badly hurt in a hit-and-run accident. He required emergency brain surgery which left his parents and the rest of us emotionally drained and stressed out. While he was in the hospital, many friends of the family pitched in to bring meals over or order dinner for the family.These gestures went a long way. However, if these friends had merely said, \u201cPlease call me if you need anything\u201d the response probably would have been something like \u201cWe\u2019ll be okay, thank you for offering.\u201d Don\u2019t just offer to help. If you really want to make a difference, volunteer a specific kind of help and act on it.<\/p>\n

TIP #3 <\/p>\n

Avoid Using Clich\u00e9s<\/h3>\n

\u201cEverything happens for a reason\u201d or \u201cIt was just his time\u201d might work on a sympathy card, but it\u2019s terrible as a text to comfort a friend. You might mean well, but it\u2019s likely the tenth time today your friend got that same message.Also, it can be a presumptuous way to apply your own worldview or religious beliefs to someone who may not find it helpful. If someone has just lost their child to a terminal disease, they probably don\u2019t want to hear that it\u2019s \u201cAll part of the plan.\u201d<\/p>\n

Comforting Someone Over Text Using The RUOK Method<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Comforting someone over text can be similar to comforting someone in person on some levels.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, both scenarios rely on effective communication, empathy, and active listening skills. In both scenarios, your goal is to recognize and understand what your friend is going through, and then to help them resolve it.<\/p>\n

However, there are also some challenges when trying to comfort a friend over text. Without visible body language, we have to make an extra effort to show that we are actively listening. Messages like \u201cI understand how you\u2019re feeling,\u201d or asking specific questions can help demonstrate active listening over text. While you can\u2019t hug a friend or family member over text, you can show them how important they are to you by telling them directly.<\/strong><\/p>\n

To keep the process of comforting a friend over text simple, I made the steps as easy to remember as possible. With the RUOK Method, we are effectively asking someone, \u201cAre you okay?\u201d (R-U-O-K). From there, we can figure out how to best assist them in calming down, cheering up, or feeling better.<\/strong><\/p>\n

We\u2019ll walk you through each step. Afterward, keep reading for even more specific tips on how to craft the perfect text to comfort someone in various situations.<\/p>\n

Step 1. Recognize the Problem<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Step one of the RUOK Method is to recognize the problem. This means identifying exactly what your friend or family is going through. Knowing what someone else is going through or how they are feeling is the first step to helping them.<\/p>\n

Potential reasons someone might need to be comforted:<\/p>\n