A worried friend may need one careful question more than a quick explanation.

Worry is usually met with reassurance, because reassurance is fast and lowers the discomfort for both people. What it often does is close the subject before the actual fear has been said. A single unhurried question keeps the door open long enough for the real thing underneath to surface, which is frequently not what was first described. Being understood settles a person more reliably than being corrected.

When someone brings you a worry this week, ask one question and then stop talking. Save your explanation for after they have finished, if it is still needed.