What to Do When Your Sister Is Crying

If your sister is crying, you may be worried about her mental well-being. Perhaps she has experienced many losses lately, and you know she cannot handle any more. You might wonder if you will be able to make her feel better with your words. There are many things you can do to encourage her sister and show her that she is not alone. She will appreciate your support and have an easier time overcoming the obstacles in her life knowing you are there for her.

The first thing you can do for your crying sister is listen carefully to what she has to say. Instead of offering her advice or telling her that she will overcome her problems, sit back and let her fill you in on the reason she is having such a hard time. You may be helping her manage important feelings just by listening to her, according to the ReachOut.com article "Listening to a Friend Who Needs You." She will appreciate the fact that she can be honest with you, and the chance to be vulnerable with someone she cares about may offer her relief.

Giving your sister a hug may help her overcome her sadness and work through all the pain she is dealing with. Humans have an innate ability to decipher emotions by physical touch alone, according to Matthew Hertenstein, a psychologist from DePauw University. You will be able to connect with your sister on a deeper level if you can sense her emotions through a hug. If she is hunched over and collapses into your arms, for example, you may realize that she is exhausted from trying to overcome so many obstacles. If she is tense, she might feel uptight about everything she is trying to accomplish.

As much as it pains you to see your sister cry, she is actually helping herself by letting the tears flow. Encourage her to express what she is feeling and continue to cry. Crying offers an emotional release, according to Stephen Sideroff, staff psychologist at Santa Monica University of California Los Angeles & Orthopaedic Hospital. Keeping her emotions inside will only serve as a burden. Encourage your sister to let herself feel sadness and accept support from those who love her, instead of trying to deal with everything herself.

It might seem strange, but playing one of your sister's favorite songs may help comfort her as she cries. Hearing a song by an artist who seems to comprehend what she is feeling may help her feel understood. Furthermore, a melody itself may lift her spirits. Music therapy is actually used to encourage emotional expression, according to the American Cancer Society. You do not have to be a licensed music therapist to play a song that will bring a smile to your sister's face.