It can be difficult to find the right words to comfort someone you care about when they’re suffering. They could have gone through trauma, illness, loss, or the death of a loved one. How could you possibly make them feel happier with something you say or do? In light of how much was lost, words seem insignificant. In the end, it will be your kind act of encouragement that helps them get through.
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15 Ways to Comfort Your Friends in Physical Pain over Text
Here we list 15 ways you can help your friends feel better in Physical Pain.
Say “I Care” and “I’m Here to Support You”
People need to know you care about them and that they are not traveling alone. When communicating, keep it simple. This is not the time to inquire about specifics, to discover how something occurred, or to discover how they are feeling. Even if you’re trying to connect and show empathy, refrain from bringing up yourself or your own similar experiences. Most of the time, they are unable to think past their suffering. Talking about your experiences could come across as impolite.
Ways to say “I care”
- “I’m thinking of you.”
- “You are on my mind and in my prayers.”
- “Sending my love.”
- “My sincere condolences.”
- “My thoughts have recently been on you.”
- “You are so loved.”
Ways to say “I’m here to support you”
- “If there is anything I can do to help you during this time, please let me know.”
- “I’m always available to you.”
- “You can reach me at any time by phone or text.”
- “Anytime you need some alone time, I can watch the kids.”
What not to say:
- “I know how you feel.”
- “It’ll get better.”
- “It will all be alright.”
- “God knows best.”
- “What you’re experiencing is beyond my comprehension.”
- “How did it happen?”
- “How are you feeling?”
- “This has happened to me before, and I recall it.”
Ask How They’re Feeling.
Sometimes all someone in pain wants is to be heard. Simply inquire about their feelings. They have the choice of continuing the conversation or changing the subject if they don’t want to share. By expressing their suffering, you can help them feel better and gain a better understanding of how they are feeling. Try:
- “Hey, how are you doing today?”
- “I hope the pain gets better soon, how bad is it?”
- “Any recent progress?”
Make a help offer.
When someone is in pain, they might feel burdened when they ask for assistance. Offer your services to ease their burden. An open-ended “How can I help?” gives them a chance to tell you what they need. Offer them something specific and ask if it works for them if they are unsure.
- “I am aware of how to hurt you are. What else can I do to make you more at ease?”
- “You don’t have to stutter to the store; I can pick up your groceries. Would that help?”
- “Whenever I can, I’d love to assist. What if I came over to tidy up the house while you rested?”
Be a Safe Space for Them.
It’s crucial to let them know you’ll be there for them while they’re out of commission. To let them know you’re available for advice or just to hear their stories and empathize, text them to let them know you’re available. As they recover, keep evaluating how you can assist them most effectively. Send messages like:
- “Whatever you need, I’m here for you at all times. Just let me know!”
- “Tell me if you want my advice! Otherwise, you can always vent to me.”
- “You can lean on me!”
Acknowledge Their Circumstances.
There is never a good time to be bedridden with pain or an injury. It has many potential effects on a person’s life. Because of their injury, the injured person may have had to postpone a trip or hire a nanny. These are difficult decisions, and bringing them up demonstrates your awareness of how serious their situation is. Try sending:
- “I am aware of how eagerly you anticipated your ski trip. This sucks!”
- “With three dogs, managing a broken leg must be much more difficult.”
- “I hope your headache goes away soon. Your job sounds like enough of a headache by itself!”
Show You Understand Their Feelings.
Various emotional reactions to physical pain are experienced by people. They might become irate, irritated, depressed, or pessimistic as a result. To make them feel understood and comforted, empathize with their emotions. Even if you misjudge how they feel, you’ve given them a chance to elaborate. Try:
- “Your frustration over the accident must be immense.”
- “I’m sorry this happened; I know you’re in excruciating pain right now.”
- “Every time your back bothers you, I know you get annoyed. I hope this time is not too bad.”
Validate Their Complaints and Struggles.
Too much optimism can at times backfire. When someone’s hurt or going through a rough time, they might just need a place to vent without being told “it’s not so bad” or “look on the bright side!” Let them get their complaints off their chest and agree with them when they say “this sucks!” Reply with things like:
- “I’m truly sorry; it stinks that you’re in such pain.”
- “Wow, that is truly abhorrent to the core.”
- “I hate that for you because it sounds awful!”
Distract Them.
Pain can be greatly reduced with a straightforward diversion. Get someone’s attention with exciting news, a new music video, or anything else that will pique their interest if they are suffering at home. Just make sure they actually want to be distracted, and hear them out if they need support or to vent.
- “Have you seen the most recent photos taken by the James Webb Space Telescope?! They’re amazing!”
- “Oh my goodness, you’ll never guess who I just met.”
- “This podcast episode MUST be listened to right away. Here’s the link.”
Tease them to recover quickly.
Make a joke about how you can hasten their recovery to make them smile. A humorous command (like “You’d better get up and start working soon!”) lets them know you want them to feel better Aside from giving them something to look forward to, the humor also lifts their spirits. Text something like:
- “Get well soon! That’s not a suggestion, it’s an order ?”
- “Your Captain is now speaking; pay close attention. Everyone who was hurt needs to get better right away!”
- “By this weekend, you must be in top condition—otherwise!”
Make Them Laugh.
After all, the best medicine is laughter! Laughter can ease pain, ease stress, and improve your mood. Send amusing GIFs, jokes, funny TikToks, and memes to someone who is hurt to make them smile. You can also send them ridiculous selfies. They’ll be touched that you thought of them and cheered after a good laugh.
- Include them in amusing social media posts that you come across. Overdoing it is endearing to someone who is depressed, so don’t be afraid of it!
- When they’re confined to the couch or unable to leave, recommend funny TV shows or movies they can watch.
A relatable story should be told.
Without offering advice, stories are excellent tools for empathizing. Tell them about a time when you (or a friend) experienced a similar injury or level of discomfort. Your friend might learn some helpful advice and come to feel less isolated in their suffering. So that you don’t steal the show, keep it brief.[2] Start your story like this:
- “That brings back memories of when I broke my leg a few years ago.”
- “My uncle had a very similar experience. He recovered over the course of a few weeks, but he made it through!”
- “What I did after throwing out my back will you be interested in hearing?”
Ensure they know how well they’re handling it.
A kind word about someone’s optimism or poise can go a long way. Inform them that you are impressed with how they are handling their pain or unexpected injury since we can all relate. In the midst of their recovery, it gives them something to be proud of. Say things like:
- “You come across as so upbeat! I would be such a downer lol”
- “I’m impressed by how well you maintain your optimism.”
- “How you manage to laugh through all of this is truly amazing.”
Send them a list of useful websites.
They might learn some useful advice from reading up on their condition. It demonstrates that you care about them and want to assist them as well. Send them a blog post by someone who has experienced a similar amount of pain or a link to an article about pain management via text. Anything that helps them feel less alone or validates what they’re going through is a great choice.
- Send articles or videos that discuss how to manage pain, offer encouragement to those who are suffering from a particular injury or chronic illness, or showcase examples of people who have successfully dealt with pain or injury.
- Make sure it applies to them by giving it a thorough reading or viewing before sending.
Suggest making a call or video call.
Calls are a personal way to learn more about what they’re dealing with. Calls demonstrate your willingness to take the time to check in on the person in pain, which is another way they validate their experience. If they can’t hold up a phone or stand in front of a camera due to pain or an injury, text to check.[3]
- “I want to hear about how you’re doing, so can I call you later?”
- “Let’s FaceTime this evening! Is that effective for you?”
- “Are you up for a phone call?”
Create a virtual hangout.
- collaborating on a video call while watching a TV show or movie.
- A video game night.
- a simulated meal or happy hour.
