INPUT ARTICLE: Article: There are a lot of cliches that people use when other people are going through hard times, and more often than not these common responses just feel insincere or painful to the recipient. Examples of what not to say include: "God will never give you more than you can handle," or its even-worse variation, "This is God's will." Sometimes well meaning people of faith say this phrase, and they may truly believe it, but it can feel very harsh to the recipient, especially if she is experiencing something that is very difficult or overwhelming. Also, the person may not believe in God. "I know how you feel." Sometimes people say this phrase to others who are going through hard times, and while its true that everyone has experienced trials in life, it's impossible to know how someone else is feeling. This phrase is even worse if its accompanied by personal anecdotes that really don't match the intensity of what the sufferer is experiencing. For example, if someone is facing the loss of a limb, don't equate it to the time that you broke your arm. It's not the same thing. However, if you have truly had an experience that is on par with the experience the sufferer is going through, it's ok to talk about and say "I've been through something similar." You'll be ok." This is a common phrase when people don't know what to say, and we often say it more as a wish than a statement of fact. In fact, you don't know if someone will be ok, and in many cases of chronic or terminal illness, the person will NOT be ok. They may die, or be condemned to a life of physical suffering. Saying they will be ok minimizes the experience they are having. "At least..." Don't minimize the person's suffering by suggesting they should be thankful that their situation isn't worse. In particular, avoid discussing minor health issues such as a headache or a cold. This can vary depending on your relationship with the person and the length of their illness. If they are chronically ill, or a very close confidant, it is more likely to be appropriate to discuss things that you're going through. While its true that its important to be sensitive to the feelings of someone who is sick, sometimes we overcompensate for our fear of doing the wrong thing by doing nothing at all. Its better to stick your foot in your mouth and apologize than it is to just ignore your sick friend altogether. If you do mess up and say something insensitive, just say, "I don't know why I said that. I really don't know what to say. This situation is just very hard." Your friend will understand. Try to pay attention to your friend's cues so that you don't visit too frequently or overstay your welcome. When someone is extremely sick especially, it can be very difficult to carry on a conversation and they won't want to offend you so may over-tax themselves by trying to please you. If your friend seems distracted by television or her phone, or seems like she is struggling to fall asleep, those might be signs that she is growing tired of the visit. Don't take it personally! Just remember she is dealing with lot, both physically and emotionally, and it can be taxing. Be mindful of the time, and be sure that you don't extend your stay into mealtimes or other times that your friend may need to be alone. Ask if your friend would like you to pick up some food for them or cook them a meal if you plan to visit during mealtime.

SUMMARY: Watch out for common faux pas. Don't complain about your own health problems. Don't let fear of doing the wrong thing keep you from doing anything at all. Be considerate.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: For a child to benefit from a reflexology session, they must be able to concentrate and relax. Choose a room without distractions like television, toys, or other children. Playing soft music and lowering the lights slightly may help your child wind down for the session. Letting the child know that they have control over what happens to their body will help them feel comfortable during a reflexology session. Before starting, ask them if they are ready to begin. Do not start the session until they agree verbally. If you are doing reflexology in a school or community group, you will likely need a signed consent form from the child's parents. Reflexology requires only light pressure to different point on the feet and hands. Pressing too hard may make the child ticklish, cause discomfort, or feel aggressive. Be sure to use a very light touch and ask the child if they are okay with the pressure. If they are uncomfortable, ask them to demonstrate what level of pressure would be better on your hand. Reflexology will not have a positive effect if the child is not responsive to it. If a child seems uneasy or jumpy during the session, stop and offer to let them try the technique on your instead. If this doesn't interest them, allow them a break to play or relax and try again later.

SUMMARY: Choose a calm, relaxing environment. Ask the child for the okay before starting the session. Use a very gentle touch to avoid discomfort. Stop the session if the child feels uncomfortable or restless.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: It's important to stop using the finger for anything after you injure it. No matter how you got the injury, stop what you're doing and assess the injured finger. Seek immediate medical attention if your finger: Feels numb or you cannot move it Hurts, especially in the bones over the joints Has red streaks extending from the injury Has been injured before Is cut or broken and the bone is visible If you have a minor sprain, you can splint it until you can see a doctor. Buy a splint in the first aid section of a drug store or use a straight, hard object. Choose something that is about the same length or slightly longer than the finger. A clean tongue depressor or popsicle stick works well. Once you have a splint, press it against the underside of the injured finger and hold it there gently. Don't squeeze the finger or apply pressure to the injured area. Make sure to position the splint so that it is under the injured joint. Next, secure the splint to the finger by wrapping medical tape around it 3 times at 2 separate points. Wrap medical tape around the finger at the base of the fingernail and above the knuckle next to the hand. Make sure that the tape is snug, but still loose enough to ensure good circulation. If you don't have medical tape, you can also use regular clear tape. Wrap an ice pack in a towel or paper towel and press it against the injured finger. Ice the finger for 10 to 20 minutes, and then remove it from the ice pack. Then, wait for the skin to return to its normal temperature before icing it again. This will take about 1 to 2 hours. If you don't have an ice pack, a bag of frozen corn or peas also works well. Just wrap it in a clean cloth or paper towel first. If the finger hurts, take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. This will help you to get some relief. Make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for how much to take and how often to take it. Keep in mind that the pain should start to subside after the first 24 to 48 hours. However, if the pain is worse or isn't improving, call your doctor. Holding your affected hand above the level of your heart will help to reduce swelling. Prop your hand up on a pillow while you're seated or lying down, or hold it up near your shoulder while you're standing.

SUMMARY:
Assess the injury and stop using the finger immediately. Place the finger against a splint or clean popsicle stick. Wrap medical tape above and below the point of injury. Apply ice to the injured finger to reduce pain and swelling. Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain. Keep your hand elevated above the level of your heart.