We’ve all needed to both give and receive support and empathy in large doses this year, so for day 17 of my F.O.O.D. Advent Calendar I thought I’d share my CAKE technique to keep us focused! All these ingredients are there to support yourself as well as others.

Start with care. Everyone has different needs, worries etc, so show people that you do care and demonstrate this in your actions as well as your words and ears

We might all tackle things in a different way, but when we’re able to support others and show empathy, it’s as much about acceptance without judgement than anything else. Lean into your curiosity whenever you feel that judgement rising

Our brains are hardwired to plan for the future and we can’t do that at the moment, so keep everything simple. Look at what can be done this day and this week rather than too far into the future.

Finally remember that emotions are contagious. Whether you’re a manager, parent, friend etc think about how you are helping the people to ‘be’ around you? If someone is having an ‘off’ day, how can you help them work their way through it?