Discussing sex with friends to seek help? Here is how to create a safe space

Updated On: 25 November, 2023 05:53 PM IST | Editor

It is crucial to be a good listener to your friends when they choose to open up about a personal topic like sex and pleasure

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It is crucial to be a good listener to your friends when they choose to open up about a personal topic like sex and pleasure

<p><strong>1. Be attentive:</strong><br />When your friend is sharing something important, put away distractions of all kinds. Make eye contact and show through your body language that you are fully present.</p>

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1. Be attentive:
When your friend is sharing something important, put away distractions of all kinds. Make eye contact and show through your body language that you are fully present.

<p><strong>2. Be patient:</strong><br />Allow your friend to express herself at her own pace. Don`t rush or interrupt. Sometimes, it takes time for someone to open up about their vulnerabilities.</p>

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2. Be patient:
Allow your friend to express herself at her own pace. Don`t rush or interrupt. Sometimes, it takes time for someone to open up about their vulnerabilities.

<p><strong>3. Validate their feelings:</strong><br />Let your friend know that their feelings are valid and important. Use empathetic statements like, ‘I can see how that would be really tough for you,’ or ‘It`s completely understandable that you feel this way.’</p>

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3. Validate their feelings:
Let your friend know that their feelings are valid and important. Use empathetic statements like, ‘I can see how that would be really tough for you,’ or ‘It`s completely understandable that you feel this way.’

<p><strong>4. Practice active listening:</strong><br />Practice active listening by nodding, offering verbal cues like ‘I see,’ ‘Go on,’ or ‘Tell me more,’ and using reflective responses to show you`re engaged in the conversation.</p>

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4. Practice active listening:
Practice active listening by nodding, offering verbal cues like ‘I see,’ ‘Go on,’ or ‘Tell me more,’ and using reflective responses to show you`re engaged in the conversation.

<p><strong>5. Avoid judgements:</strong><br />Refrain from passing judgment or offering unsolicited advice, especially when your friend is sharing something sensitive. Instead, focus on understanding and empathising with their perspective.</p>

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5. Avoid judgements:
Refrain from passing judgment or offering unsolicited advice, especially when your friend is sharing something sensitive. Instead, focus on understanding and empathising with their perspective.

<p><strong>6. Respect their privacy:</strong><br />If your friend chooses not to share certain details or prefers to keep some aspects of their vulnerability private, respect their decision.</p>
<p><em><strong>Photos Courtesy: iStock</strong></em></p>

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6. Respect their privacy:
If your friend chooses not to share certain details or prefers to keep some aspects of their vulnerability private, respect their decision.

Photos Courtesy: iStock

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Discussing sex with friends to seek help? Here is how to create a safe space

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Photo of Day

Bliss by the beach