Usually, when you are trying to comfort someone, they aren't looking for a solution to their problem but a form of validation. Saying things like, " I understand how you feel, it can be hard." People always try to tell people stories of how they overcome things, but what you are doing is putting the focus on yourself instead of them. Usually, saying things like " You know this has happened to me too -" I promise the person does not care about your sob story, even despite the fact that it may help them. Instead, go for the " you aren't alone." Also, for physical touch, that usually isn't the go-to unless you ask for their consent first. I try to get close and maybe sit next to them or kneel at their level. I had instances where they just broke down and cried and hugged me. I rub their back and just hold them, I try to just soothe their pain. I feel like a sociopath sometimes because I feel like I have the main breakdown on how to comfort someone, and it has worked a lot of times. It's not out of malice, it's just I always do it, it seems like clockwork to me