Introduction
If a loved one is going through a challenging and tough day, finding the right words to say to them often poses a great difficulty. We often feel like the first thing we should do in these situations is to offer advice or try to solve whatever problems the other person is going through. But the exact opposite of what we wanted can happen in this situation. Offering unwanted advice can make the person feel unheard and misunderstood. This is because generally, the person may have already considered probable ways to solve their problem on their own. Or, on the other hand, they could also be feeling too emotional and unable to approach the situation in a rational manner.
When a person is going through a difficult time and his emotions are running high, what he needs first and foremost is some way to regulate his emotions and bring them under control. For emotional regulation, it is always nice to have a close friend as a safe space person to express your feelings to. Therefore, see it as an honour if someone close to you approaches you to share some of their troubling thoughts.
Unless someone close to you asks you for advice, you should not offer any unsolicited opinions. In these situations, the best thing you can do is hear out the other person, validate their emotions, and be there for them. Here is a list of some appropriate phrases you can use when someone who is important to you is having a bad day.
Things you can say when someone has had a tough day at work
When a friend, partner or family member calls you after a difficult day at work, they are often just looking for some comfort from someone who is a trusted friend or family member, which is you in this case.
It is, of course, up to them to decide if they want to hang out, have a rant, or ask you for solutions and advice. Here are some things you can say to show them you support them no matter what:
1. “Let’s grab some food.”
It is well known that food comforts every person. When a friend or loved one has a tough day at work, you can ask them if they want to go out for some food and drinks. This is a foolproof and great way to show your support. Going out for a break may make them want to vent about their day, or maybe they just need the outing to relax and recharge.
2. “Tomorrow’s a fresh start again.”
Always listen to your friend or loved one patiently when they are expressing their feelings. After this, it is nice to offer them a hug. You can also remind them that tomorrow’s a new day. Do not offer unsolicited advice, give solutions only when they want it.
3. “I think you’re doing a great job.”
You can use this phrase to reassure your friend or loved one if they are feeling especially negative about themselves after a bad day at work.
Reassure them and tell them they are great at their work, and that you are always there for them. When they hear that they are loved, cared for and supported, it makes them feel like they’re enough.
4. “What can I do to cheer you up?”
Ask your friend or loved one what will help them cheer up instead of coming up with your own solutions. It may be that they just want to watch some low effort television series. Some people also like doing intense physical activity to get rid of their frustration.
Show them your love and support by doing something together that will make them feel better.
Pro tip- if you are in doubt, ice cream is always a good choice to lift someone’s spirits.
5. Just listen.
Sometimes, it is best to do nothing else but just hear out their issues and troubles. If they ask for advice, try your best to offer good solutions. If they don’t, just listen and validate their emotions. You can also simply ask if there’s anything you can do to support them.
Things to Say When A Child Had a Bad Day at School
One of the toughest and inevitable experiences that parents experience is when their kids are going through something difficult. The parents undoubtedly want to protect them from feeling sad and hurt. However, it is essential to show children how to deal with bad days.
If you as a parent see your kids come home from school upset, there are things you can do and say that will act as lessons for them on emotional awareness, emotional regulation, problem-solving, and resilience.
One of the best things in life that parents can do for their children is not to fix their problems or give them direct solutions, but rather to give them the tools and support so that the children can identify solutions on their own.
1. “Let me make your favourite dinner for you.”
When you use this phrase to comfort your child, it shows them that you love them, you are acknowledging the fact \ that they’ve had a bad day, and you want to do something nice for them. Food always brings a smile on children’s faces, and once they have had their favourite food after a tough day, they might feel more ready to share what happened.
2. “Sounds like a really tough day. I’m sorry, I am there for you and I love you.”
Sometimes just showing validation and empathy is all that a child or loved one really needs. They’re often just looking for comfort and not advice. This phrase followed up with a hug shows sincerity on your part and makes them feel seen.
3. “You seem frustrated.”
Using this phrase is a great way to start a conversation with your child about their emotional state and help them recognize or accept their own feelings.
Saying this can help them express more about their frustration and perhaps they will come to a solution on their own, as they do that.
Conclusion
When a friend, loved one or family member comes to you after a bad day, it is very important to let them have a safe space to acknowledge and express their feelings and feel that they have you to support them during their highs and lows. The phrases listed in this article may help you to come up with your own ideas for how to be there for someone you love when they are going through a bad day.
Bad days, grief and death are things that are tough to deal with. Yet, every person has to go through this challenge some time or the other. Beleiv is a provider of funeral services in India that aims to make the process of grief a little easy for people. It offers many different services, including cremation services in India, so that the clients can focus more on grief and healing. Approach Beleiv for all your funeral service requirements and walk on an easier path to healing.
