1. Become their wheels. It's often difficult for someone who is injured, sick, or in emotional crisis to get themselves to their various appointments...or even to do simple errands like food shopping. It can mean so much, if they know they can rely on you to be their "wheels." And offer up your services willingly...don't wait for them to ask you.
2. Break out your special skills. Do you like to organize things? Are you a closet chef? We all have special skills that others can use. Having a hot meal prepared for them, or getting their house cleaned and organized can go along way towards making your friend's life easier and more pleasant while they deal with their problems...whatever they are.
3. Email them something uplifting or funny. Most of us spend many hours each day online. So why not put a little of that time to extra good use? Send them a funny video, or an uplifting message/quote every day. You know how laughter is the best medicine...Be the doctor who delivers it!
4. Just add sequins. A little gift, silly or not, can go along way in cheering up a friend who is in pain. Sometimes, the silliest things can have the most impact. These gifts needn't be a grand gesture, just some small little thing to let them know you're there for them...and that you care! If you've got kiddos around, have them help you with the arts and crafts project. Kids always know what to do with a bottle of glitter and a little glue...
5. Become the "humane resource" for your co-worker. If it's a co-worker who's struggling, there are a few special ways that you can help them. If your company allows it, donate some of your vacation days so they can stay out longer if they need to. If your company doesn't allow that, then help out with some of her work-related chores, like filing or typing up reports. Helping out with these chores may let her go home on time instead of having to stay late to play "catch up." Another way, is to offer to cook a meal for her family. Just think how wonderful it would be if, when she got home from work, she could put her feet up and relax...or spend time with her kids...instead of worrying about fixing dinner.
6. Speak up. Tell your friend that you understand and will be their for them. Hearing these words can offer comfort and a little piece of mind during difficult times.
7. Say nothing at all. And then there are times when saying nothing at all, but offering up a shoulder to cry on or a sympathetic ear, is what they need the most.
Everyone goes through difficult time during their life. Be the kind of friend and offer the kind of help that you would want, if the cast was on the other flipper...er, I mean foot. What goes around comes around. And Karma holds true for good things, too, as well as the bad.
Think about what would make you feel loved and cared for, then offer those things to someone who is in pain. You'll never regret it.