This article was co-authored by Eze Sanchez and by wikiHow staff writer, Sophie Burkholder, BA. Eze Sanchez is a Life & Relationship Coach and the Founder of Eze Sanchez Coaching in Gainesville, Florida. He's been practicing as a coach since late 2016 and has more than 1,000 hours of collective training and experience in personal development. He specializes in helping people find self-acceptance, self-empathy, and self-love through building accountability and kindness for themselves. Eze has an Associates Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Central Florida, a diploma in Massage Therapy from the Florida School of Massage, and a certificate from the Satvatove Institute School of Transformative Coaching.
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When a friend, family member, or colleague tells you that they’re ill, it can be hard to find the right words to say. It’s okay if you aren’t sure whether you’re saying the perfect thing or not—the most important thing is to be empathetic, honest, and supportive. That being said, we’ll help you out by providing you a list of exactly what to say—and not to say—to someone who’s sick, whether they’re just a bit under the weather or managing a serious illness.
The Best Things to Say to Someone Who Is Sick
- “Aw, that’s awful! I’m sorry you’re sick.”
- “Heal up and know that I’m thinking about you.”
- “Wishing you lots of love and strength while you recover.”
- “I’m sorry you aren’t feeling good. Is there anything I can do to help?”
- “Do you want me to bring you some food? What is your favorite food?”
- “I’ll be by your side every step of the way, on good days and bad days.”
- “You mean so much to a lot of people. I hope you’re feeling very loved right now.”
Steps
Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow do you comfort a sick person over text?Eze SanchezEze Sanchez is a Life & Relationship Coach and the Founder of Eze Sanchez Coaching in Gainesville, Florida. He's been practicing as a coach since late 2016 and has more than 1,000 hours of collective training and experience in personal development. He specializes in helping people find self-acceptance, self-empathy, and self-love through building accountability and kindness for themselves. Eze has an Associates Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Central Florida, a diploma in Massage Therapy from the Florida School of Massage, and a certificate from the Satvatove Institute School of Transformative Coaching.
Life & Relationship CoachTry to respond with empathy by giving them a verbal reflection of either what you hear they're experiencing or what you imagine that they're experiencing (if they haven't said anything). For instance, you could say "I imagine that this is very painful and maybe frustrating to not be able to do some of things you love to do."
Video
Tips
References
- ↑ https://www.southernliving.com/culture/what-to-write-get-well-card
- ↑ https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/emotional-health/the-best-and-worst-ways-to-support-a-friend-with-a-serious-illness
- ↑ https://www.cancer.org/cancer/caregivers/when-someone-you-know-has-cancer.html
- ↑ https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/docs/default-source/members/sigs/spirituality-spsig/spirituality-special-interest-group-publications-fenwick-nearing-the-end-of-life-guide.pdf?sfvrsn=ef164fa6_2
- ↑ https://www.caringbridge.org/resources/what-to-say-to-someone-before-surgery
- ↑ https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/psychology/open-ended-question
- ↑ https://www.countryliving.com/life/a43553648/get-well-soon-messages/
- ↑ https://www.groupgreeting.com/blog/2023/12/16/what-to-tell-a-coworker-who-is-sick/
- ↑ https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/emotional-health/the-best-and-worst-ways-to-support-a-friend-with-a-serious-illness
- ↑ https://momentumunlimited.org/blog/2019/02/07/my-friend-is-sick-why-dont-i-know-what-say/
- ↑ https://www.loveboxfoundation.org/blog/love-notes-for-a-sick-friend-doctor-or-nurse
- ↑ https://childrenscancer.org/what-to-say-when-theres-nothing-to-say/
- ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2563280/
- ↑ https://www.aubreeoriginals.com/6-steps-to-the-perfect-get-well-gift-basket/
- ↑ https://www.kansashealthsystem.com/news-room/blog/2020/03/how-to-help
- ↑ https://www.mamamia.com.au/rosters-for-helping-sick-friends/
- ↑ https://www.kansashealthsystem.com/news-room/blog/2020/03/how-to-help
- ↑ https://hub.jhu.edu/magazine/2016/summer/humor-therapy-nursing-medicine/
About This Article
Reader Success Stories
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"I have someone who often will say I am not going to work today, I am OK, I just don't feel well. I'm relieved to learn that my responses are comforting and appropriate."..." more