All too often people get caught up in the chaos of life and don't realize they're not paying attention to their loved ones. From stress at work to cleaning the house to taking care of the kids, there's often a lot going on. It's important to take time to let your friends and family know you care. Here are a few ways to do so:
Listen
The best thing you can give is your time. While you may not be able to go out for lunch with a pal, you likely do have a half an hour to talk over the phone as you fold laundry or walk the dog. Make sure the people you appreciate know that you're there to talk if they need you. Some may have major life changes to discuss while others just want to chat about their day. Listening helps more than you may think.
Take something off their plates
You don't need to buy your partner flowers once a week to show that you love him or her. In fact, you don't have to spend any money at all. You can always help by doing something he or she usually does to give the person a break. Offer to take on the dishes one night or tackle bath time so your partner can relax. Even a ten-minute time out to sit on the couch can be a blessing.
Cook your loved ones a frittata so they can skip the kitchen for a night.
Make a meal
Everyone has to eat, but putting in the effort to cook something nutritious isn't always on the agenda. Could your spouse use a tasty lunch like a turkey sandwich, fruit salad, his or her favourite chips and a chocolate bar? Make it happen the night before so he or she can grab this tasty treat on the way out the door. Or, maybe your elderly neighbor just had surgery and isn't physically able to move about much. Make a few meals to stash in the freezer. Pair this with a meal that is ready to eat like lasagna, pasta or a tasty frittata. It's important to support your community in any way you can, and this is a great step.
Offer a compliment
Have you ever been in line at a cafe and noticed how amazing someone's outfit is? Instead of keeping that thought to yourself, speak up! Tell the stranger you love his or her look - it'll probably make his or her day! Also dole out sincere compliments to coworkers who are doing a great job at work. Tell your kiddos they're working well together when they play nice, and don't forget to include your partner in the compliments too. Saying, "I love you in that shirt and tie!" can go a long way, even when you've seen that outfit a million times before.
It's easy to show you care even with little gestures, and you'll make yourself and those around you feel good while doing so.