Kanisa George
LIFE IS A road map littered with highs, lows and indescribable moments. When it's good, laughter is our best friend, and good vibes and energy are only two paces ahead, setting the scene for endless possibilities.
It's easy to get lost in the midst of happy moments while we savour the sweet nectar that life can sometimes offer. And as for our troubles, not a speck in sight. When the good times roll, it's easy to relate to everything and everyone around us, and the strength required to seize the day is at full capacity.
It is when troubles come ah knocking that we inevitably run dry of happiness and struggle to grasp the light at the end of the tunnel. Managing the realities of challenging situations can be made easier with proper support, but, unlike happy moments, moments of darkness are often faced alone and in silence.
When life is good, it's really good, but when it becomes challenging, what most of us really want is to feel seen and supported.
The American Psychological Association's guideline in dealing with loss states that 'having strong social support can actually make you more able to cope with problems on your own, by improving your self-esteem and a sense of autonomy.
A strong social support network, in many ways, can act as a catalyst that helps us push past difficult moments as it strengthens our defences and reinforces our emotional capacity. Most social relationships provide various types of support. This could be in the form of instrumental support, like offering an actual service (taking a friend to the airport) or appraisal support, like providing words of encouragement.
But when the going gets tough, emotional support can prevent us from becoming overwhelmed by the experience and ride the wave of emotions expected from difficult situations.
Having a shoulder to lean on emotionally cannot be overstated, and when you least expect it the buoyancy of emotional support can act like a bridge over troubled water.
Emotional support is an intentional verbal or non-verbal way to show care and affection for another. It is offered by showing genuine encouragement, reassurance and compassion. As one writer puts it, emotional support is when someone sits with us, empathises with our experience and validates our emotions. It means we sit with our loved ones, empathise with them and help them to feel that their emotions are valid.
Receiving emotional support helps us cope with daily problems, stress, disappointments or pain, and makes us feel happier and more resourceful in dealing with the troubles of life (Atoum & Al-Shobul, 2018).
Receiving emotional support is an essential part of every relationship, whether with your partner, family or friends. When it is lacking, not only can it stand to erode the foundation of your relationship, but it can affect your mental and physical health.
Research demonstrates the link between social relationships and many different aspects of health and wellness.
One study found that poor social support has been linked
