In the last several decades, people have become more individualistic and more separated. It’s a natural outcome of busy lives, migrating for work or school, and growing families. But this shift has made it hard to care for loved ones when they fall ill. Fortunately, recent years have seen a resurgence of health-related care across the board. The global pandemic brought people together in previously unimagined ways, and here’s how friends, family members, and even coworkers are showing up and supporting each other.
A Hot Meal
Ah, the return of the hot meal. This traditional form of support faded a bit from memory as fewer people cooked and families stopped eating dinner together at 6 o’clock every night. But for generations, a warm dish was the one of best ways to show someone you cared. Mothers made batches of soup for sick kids. Neighbors brought casseroles for someone in their sick bed. Girlfriends even created meal trains for new moms at home with a baby.
That tradition never went away entirely, of course. But it has evolved in new and beautiful ways. Now, you might not have time or the wherewithal to make a lasagna for a friend in need. Maybe they live across the country. Perhaps you’re working long hours. But what you can do is send a gift card for local meal delivery. Even better, you can send a chicken soup sympathy care package right to their door. So you’re still sending all your love in a special, hot meal.
Comfortable Clothes and Blankets
Another wonderful way to say “I’m thinking of you” is through comfortable gear. One of the hardest things about being sick, ill, or otherwise indisposed is that it can be hard to get cozy. A sick person might feel tired but restless, anxious but achy, and cycle through feverish and chilled. And of course, resting is one of the most important parts of healing. The more a person can relax and even adopt a positive attitude, the more quickly they can recover.
More and more information is coming out about the connection between the mind and the body. It’s no wonder, then, that one of the best gifts to give to someone who’s hurting, mentally or physically, is an item that can help them get more rest. You might consider a cozy blanket or a pair of soft socks. There are also amazing wearable blankets now with cool designs, so your loved one can walk around the house feeling cozy. Be sure to pick something in their favorite color and style to add extra meaning.
Favorite Treats
Of course, all the roads to recovery aren’t necessarily paved with “healthy” items. Sometimes, what someone in pain actually needs is an indulgence. This is where the mind-body connection really comes into play. It can be just as important to feel good emotionally as it is to feel physically healthy. The two go hand in hand. The happier you are, the more likely you are to feel physically well, and vice versa. So, yes, you can also just send chocolate.
Again, chocolate, cookies, and other sweet treats or snacks aren’t exactly new ways people show care and support. But with the big push towards health, with herbs, greens, and bone broths in virtually every kitchen, the sugary bites can often get lost along the way. And the reality is that chocolate can offer tremendous health benefits. So send a box from your favorite brand. Chocolate candy, chocolate chip cookies, or even a chocolate pie. Your loved one will surely be happy to see it arrive.
Books, Magazines, DVDs
There was a moment there, a long one, where it seemed like physical media was dead, or at least dying. After all, you can stream virtually anything you want to watch on television. You can read a book on your iPad or your Kindle. And who reads magazines anymore? Yet, there was a time when doctors’ offices had stacks of magazines, every city had at least one bookstore, and people showcased their DVDs. And yes, all of those helped people rest and pass the time when they were ill.
Well, it seems those days are making a comeback. Young people, especially, are increasingly rejecting an all-digital world. Hundreds of new bookstores have opened in the U.S., many magazines are doing better, and now people are talking about buying DVDs again. This resurgence in print media means a return to giving your sick loved one a stack of magazines and DVDs for their recovery. Send a book you love and your favorite movie. You can even set a date to call and discuss what they think of it. Yes, a real, live phone call… not a text.
Time
Which brings up the final point: spending time together. There are few gifts more powerful than your presence, even over the phone. Face time has been a dying art, even with the presence of FaceTime. People are finding themselves disconnected and lonely, and if there’s anything that can make a bad situation worse, it’s loneliness. Depression can grow darker, illness can become prolonged, and anxiety can become heightened. People need each other, period.
So, yes, one way people are finding to show up for each other, once again, is to actually show up for each other. Sure, maybe you can’t fly across the country or drive across the state. And if you’re dealing with an infectious illness like the flu, you probably shouldn’t show up in person anyway. But you can pick up the phone and hang out while watching a show together. You can listen to your loved one’s struggles. You can offer a friendly “I’m here for you” in your familiar voice. Those moments can mean much more than you may ever realize.
In the end, most of the changing ways we support one another through health-related hardships have to do with being present and rediscovering what’s tangible in life. It might be a hot meal or a beloved DVD from the 80s. Maybe it’s a box of chocolates, or it might be a cozy blanket. Or, it could just be a five-minute phone call to check in. In any event, when we show up for our loved ones, however we can, they’re more likely to feel uplifted and actually get well soon.