Is
your friend is stressed about something or down in the dumps? Then read on to
discover how to make a friend feel better instantly here.
There aren't too many things in life
that you hate to see more than a friend who is down in the dumps. Seeing
someone you love being sad or depressed can be heartbreaking, especially if you
don't know how to help.
The good news is, knowing how
to make a friend feel better isn't as complicated as you may think!
In this article, we'll break down 12
useful tips and tricks that you can use when cheering up a friend.
1.
Listen to What They Have to Say
As a good friend, you feel an
immense amount of pressure to fix the situation and cheer your friend up as
fast as possible.
And while your intentions are good,
sometimes, you can lose focus on what's important, which is your friend and
their feelings.
Sure, there are a variety of
gestures that can help make them feel better. But if you want to
know how to cheer someone up, perhaps the best thing that you can do is to
hear what they have to say.
That's why we recommend that you
start out by listening to what your friend has going on at the moment. Hear
them out, let them vent, and be a set of ears when they need them the most.
Don't outtalk them, let them get out
whatever it is that is bothering them before you speak. Afterward, they'll have
taken a few steps towards being in a much better place mentally.
2.
Keep Them Company for the Day
Next to listening to your friend, being
there for them in person is the next best that you can do to help cheer them
up. After all, what better way to be there for a friend than to actually be
there for them in person?
When you're with your friend, don't
overthink things. You don't need to do anything crazy or exciting in order
to spend quality time together in an attempt to lift their mood.
Going to get a bite to eat, hanging
out and talking, and being there when they need a hug are more than enough to
show them that you care.
Again, reminding them that they're
not alone and that people love them is the overall goal here.
3.
Organize a Movie Night Together
One of the best ways to escape
troubles for a bit is to sit down and watch a movie. The ability to leave the
real world and visit another universe is without a doubt one of the coolest
parts about television and film.
So if you and your friend are big
into movies or TV, host a movie night for the both of you. Pick out a couple of
movies, grab some snacks, and enjoy movie night together as best buddies.
If you think your friend would enjoy
it, consider inviting more people over too. Of course, this isn't for everyone,
but if you have more close friends that you share, having their company could
be nice as well.
While a movie night at home can be
fun, sometimes, leaving for a bit is very much needed. If you think that's the
case for your friend, consider taking them out to see a movie instead.
And if movies and TV shows aren't
their thing, video and board games are just as effective, perhaps more so, as
they're a bit more interactive.
4.
Go Outside and Have Fun
Again, sometimes, leaving home and
getting out for a bit is the thing that your friend needs more than anything
else in the world.
You need to really know your friend
to know for sure if that's the case, but if you think it is, find something fun
to do together outside.
Being outside, literally, can be a
wonderful way to cheer them up. Getting some sunlight can boost their mood, and in a hurry, which of course is
a good thing.
Being active is also a good idea,
especially if you think your friend has been sedentary for far too long. Going
for a walk, run, or a hike are all affordable ways to get some exercise
outdoors, which means you can get results on any budget.
If it's nice out, and there are
sports being played, go see a game together. Even if you only use the game as
an excuse to go outside and talk to each other, it's still a great way to get
some sun exposure and fresh air.
Food can be quite comforting, and a
great excuse to hang out together and talk too. What better place to eat a meal
than outdoors at a local park?
Again, even something as simple as a
walk around the neighborhood can be refreshing and uplifting.
5.
Help Them Come up With a Plan
If your friend is down in the dumps,
odds are, they have a legitimate reason as to why they're not feeling so hot.
From relationship issues to problems at work, there's a good chance that
something noteworthy is causing them to feel this way.
By listening to your friend vent
about what's going on, you can get a good idea of what the situation is. That
will allow you to, in return, give them some feedback about what they can do
about the issue.
Helping them come up with a game
plan that they can use to solve their issues is a wonderful gesture. It shows
that, at worst, you actually listened and cared about what they had to say.
Along with solving issues, consider
helping your friend come up with an overall plan for their future. Help them
set goals using a goal board so they can visualize their success going forward.
6.
Jam out to Some Music Together
Let's say that television, movies,
and video games aren't your thing. More importantly, maybe they aren't your
friend's thing, and thus, not the best way to cheer them up.
If you think your friend is more
likely to be cheered up with music, then have a jam out session together.
Listen to their favorite songs, or general feel-good music, while you two talk
and hang out together.
One of the best places to jam out
together is in the car. It's a great excuse to leave the house, doesn't cost
too much money, and gives you both a chance to listen to some tunes and
communicate.
At home works too, but you might
find that your friend feels better faster after a jam session and ride around
town.
7.
Surprise Them With a Gift
One of the most common ways to cheer
people up is by giving them gifts. After all, gifts take a bit of effort to
produce, which makes them that much more special to a recipient.
If you think your friend would feel
better after receiving a gift, and you have an idea for that gift, go ahead and
pick it up. Simply the surprise of getting a present is often enough to
cheer them up, or at worst, make them feel better for a little while.
What type of gift should you get
your friend? Well, that depends on what your friend likes and needs, as not all
people are the same.
A few basic ideas that work well are
flowers, like a nice sunflower bouquet, and candy. A card is another very
common, but effective gift to give someone who may be feeling down at the
moment.
With that in mind, there are no
rules here. And something as simple as buying your friend lunch can be more
than enough to show them that you care about them and their problems.
8.
Check on Them Each Day
It goes without saying, but you
can't fake genuine concern. That means that if you don't put forth an effort to
cheer your friend up, they're going to notice.
Not being genuine can actually make
things worse, which is why you want to make sure you do everything that you can
to let them know that you really do care.
It may sound elementary, but something
as simple as checking on your friend daily is a great way to show them that you
honestly want them to feel better. It also gives you an excuse to talk with
them and check up on their progress with their goals, which is helpful.
A phone call or a text can be quite
effective, so don't underestimate the power of reaching out using those
methods. With that being said, you can't beat a face-to-face interaction, so
stop by and see them if you can.
9.
Help Then Clean Their House or Room
Did you know that clutter can be
really bad for your mental
health? If you
visit your friend, and you notice that their space is more unorganized then
usual, help them clean it up.
Of course, not all friends will find
this gesture to be a kind one. If you think your friend will be offended at you
calling out their messiness, perhaps avoiding the subject is the best option.
But if you think they'd like it, or they need it in order to feel better, don't
be afraid to make the suggestion.
A pro tip? Combine a few of the
things on this list with cleaning to make it more fun. Throw on some music, or
a movie, and talk about what's going on while you help your friend get
organized.
10.
Ask Them What They Want to Do
It's very easy to get so wrapped up
in making your friend feel better that you forget about them and their wants
and needs. And while some people may be too down to suggest something to do,
your friend might have something in mind already that they think would help.
Ask them what they want to do with
your time together, and if they make a suggestion, jump all over it with no
hesitation. Hesitation will only make them feel worse at the moment for making
the suggestion, which isn't what you want.
Even if the activity isn't something
you'd normally do or find interesting, you should want to make that sacrifice
because you're a good friend.
11.
Give Them Space When They Need It
While it's usually not the case,
sometimes, the thing your friend needs most is a bit of space. After all, being
sad and crying it out is something most people like to do alone, and sometimes,
it is necessary in order to feel better.
If you think your friend needs a bit
of space, especially after multiple days of checking on them, give it to them.
You can check in with a text, but let them be alone for a little while and see
if they start to feel better after a day or two.
12.
Assist Them With Finding Some Help
Sometimes you can't make your friend
feel better on your own. In fact, sometimes, what your friend really needs is
the help of someone else.
Perhaps one of the nicest, most
thoughtful things that you can do with your friend is assisting them with getting help for themselves. Doing this can be
hard and awkward, but if you're truly friends and you think it's the right
move, then don't be afraid to make the suggestion.
The best part? When it's all said
and done, not only will your friend feel better, but your relationship with
them will be much stronger, too.
Use
This Helpful Guide on How to Make a Friend Feel Better
Well, there you have it. That is a
helpful guide on how to make a friend feel better. So, if you have a buddy who
isn't doing so hot, use these tips and tricks to help cheer them up!
Remember, being there for your
friend, listening, and spending time with them is often all they want or need.
With that being said, if you think they need professional help, find the right
way to make the suggestion, and then do what you can to help them get it.
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