A mother begs the artist Tesfu for assistance in saving her son. Listening is one of the best ways to offer moral support. People frequently express their needs to you, so it’s crucial to accept their choice, even if it’s as simple as “I don’t need anything.”
Giving someone your undivided attention instead of merely being there with them in the same space is what it means to listen. Make eye contact, turn to face them, and use open body language. Passive or unfriendly body language may cause the person to withdraw even further and may deter them from opening up to you about their feelings in the future.
You don’t want to make someone feel worse by invalidating or mocking their emotions. Even if you mean well, being critical when things are tough might be ineffective and inappropriate.
And listening is preferable to sharing (see above). Although it’s wonderful to communicate sympathy and empathy with others, avoid making every conversation all about you and avoid comparing other people’s situations to your own unless they specifically request it. The key to providing moral support is to listen.
