How Do You Comfort a Grieving Man? The Right Words and Actions

Understanding Grief: What a Grieving Man Needs

Well, let’s face it – comforting someone who is grieving, especially a man, can feel like walking on eggshells. It’s tricky, right? You don’t want to say the wrong thing, but at the same time, you want to help. Men often grieve differently than women, and it’s essential to understand that before offering your support.

Honestly, the first thing a grieving man needs is to feel heard. He might not want to talk right away, but when he does, let him express his feelings, frustrations, and sadness in his own way. Avoid the temptation to fix things. Sometimes, just being there, quietly listening, is all he needs. My buddy, Tom, recently lost his father, and for weeks, he barely spoke. But when he did, it was like a flood of emotions – anger, confusion, sadness. I just sat there, no judgment, no interruptions, and that, I think, helped him more than any words could.

What to Say (And What NOT to Say)

Ah, the tricky part. You want to say the right thing, but it’s easy to fall into clichés like "He’s in a better place" or "Time heals all wounds." Trust me, those phrases often do more harm than good. I once made that mistake with a friend, and looking back, I just cringe.

Instead, say something that acknowledges the pain, without trying to minimize it. Try something like, "I can’t imagine how tough this is for you, but I’m here." Simple, genuine, and honest. And if you don’t know what to say? Honestly, just admit it! Something like, "I don’t have the right words, but I’m here for you," can go a long way. Remember, no one expects you to have all the answers. Sometimes, silence says more than words ever could.

Be There Physically: Sometimes Words Aren’t Enough

Okay, so let’s talk about being present in ways other than words. You might be thinking, "Isn’t just talking the most important thing?" Well, not really. Grief is often overwhelming, and sometimes a grieving man doesn’t even know what he needs. That’s where you come in.

Offer specific help – things like running errands, helping with household tasks, or simply sitting with him without any pressure to talk. I’ve found that small gestures, like making sure he eats or offering to take him out for a walk, can mean a lot more than you’d think. Last year, I stayed with my cousin for a few days after his brother passed. I didn’t talk much – just made sure he was eating and tried to maintain some normalcy, even if it was just watching TV together. It wasn’t about solving anything – it was about being there.

Respect His Space, But Don't Let Him Isolate Himself

This one’s tricky, isn’t it? You know he’s hurting, and you want to be there for him, but sometimes, he just wants to be left alone. Honestly, it’s a fine line. You don’t want to push him, but you also don’t want him to isolate himself too much. Men, in particular, often struggle with showing vulnerability and might retreat into themselves during grief.

If he wants space, give it. But also, let him know you’re available, no matter what. A simple "I’m here whenever you’re ready" can be reassuring. But don’t disappear entirely. Grief can feel like an emotional roller coaster, and your presence, even in the background, can be an anchor.

Avoid the Pressure to "Fix" It

Here’s a big one: don’t try to fix it. Grief isn’t something you can solve, and I think we all know that deep down. But here’s the thing – people, especially well-meaning ones, often try to fix the situation. "Let’s do something to take your mind off it" or "You’ll get through this soon." While it’s nice to offer solutions, sometimes those approaches just aren’t helpful.

I made this mistake with a close friend a while ago. I thought, "If I just keep him busy, he won’t have time to think about the loss." But grief doesn’t work like that. Instead, I should’ve just allowed him to sit with his feelings, without rushing him through it. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is just acknowledge the pain and be okay with it.

Conclusion: Stay Genuine, Be Present, and Give Him Time

Honestly, there’s no one-size-fits-all guide to comforting a grieving man. It’s about finding what he needs in the moment and being okay with the unpredictability of it all. Be genuine, be present, and give him time. Grief doesn’t have a timeline, and neither should your support.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.