Rule number one: remember that you are a support of a stress victim, ie. you have to be close. Phone him or her every day, meet for a cup of coffee or go to the cinema from time to time. Feeling lonely is the most dangerous effect of stress. Usually just being there for him or her may get rid of half of the problem.

Try to be as close as possible (without being a pain in the neck of course). Ask your stressed friend or family member to go out, invite him or her to a dinner or go together to the cinema. However, the best thing is probably going together to do some physical activities: jogging, tai-chi, martial arts or simply a few hours a week at the gym will help the body regain balance and increase one's stress resistance.

People living under stress for a long time will develop serious problems concerning their problem-solving capabilities. However, at the same time they get better and better in hiding them. Your job as a family member or friend is to look out for the signs of such behavior and offer your help even if you are not asked for assistance. The best thing is to just show interest in one's activities and try to help people by working with them rather than for them.

It is extremely easy to overlook other people's problems. We often ignore the first signs of stress. We don't bother with trying to find out true reasons for our friend's abnormal behaviour: pushing away others, getting annoyed for little or no reason, suffering insomnia or leaving their work. All of that are the signs of stress-induced problems and depression.

Just remember: you have to be a good friend and help the others to overcome their problems, or just support them during the hard times. You don't have to solve their problems - you just need to be there for them. It is the best way for helping others cope with stress and depression.