How to Make Someone Feel Better

Not everyone is going to be happy all the time. Certain things happen in our lives and we’re forced to deal with crappy situations that bring us down. It’s just a fact of life. However, when someone we care about is down in the dumps, we feel like it’s our responsibility to make them feel better.

That’s especially true if they’re our significant other, but we still want our close friends and family to feel better when they’re having a rough day, too. That being said, this isn’t always as easy as you may think. There are a lot of things you have to think about and take into account when trying to make someone feel better.

If you really want to turn their day around, these tips can help you do that. Just remember that everyone is different and everyone processes their emotions differently. Trying a combination of things is your best bet to finding something that works.

1. Listen to their situation.

One of the best things you can do for someone who’s feeling down is to just listen to them and what they have to say. Most of the time, all someone really needs to feel better is to vent about their problems. Be there to hear them.

2. Offer your advice.

If you have a few things to say that may help them in their situation, offer it. Just tell them that you may be able to help and start listing off things you would do in that situation. If they don’t take the advice, that’s up to them. So long as you’re there trying to help, it’ll make them feel better.

3. Give them their space.

Some people just need to sit and figure their own problems out without anyone else around. They just want to be left alone with their thoughts in order to process how they’re feeling so they can move on. If your friend is that type of person, give them their space.

4. Bring them their favorite food.

Food always cheers people up. There’s something about eating that calms the nerves and makes us feel more comfortable. That being said, bringing someone their absolute favorite food will work even better. Find out what they like best and load up on it and bring it over. They’ll appreciate it.

5. Remind them of all the good in their life.

When something goes bad, it’s easy to think that every single thing in your life is now bad. Sometimes people just need to hear that there are still great things going for them. So sit and talk with them and just remind them of all the good they have in their life. It can help put things in perspective for them.

6. Put on their favorite show/movie.

Many of us find comfort in our favorite shows or movies. It’s also been proven that watching a good movie or show we’ve seen before can calm anxiety and bad moods because we know how it’ll end. If your friend is feeling down, turn on their favorite movie and they’ll start feeling better soon.

7. Ask them if they want you to do anything.

Maybe your friend needs something that you don’t know about. Sit down and just ask them if they need something. They’re most likely say no, but the fact that you offered is enough to make them feel a little more comfortable.

8. Give them a hug.

Hugs make everything better. There’s actually a psychological reason why hugs make a person feel better, but we don’t need to get into that. Just so long as they welcome your hug, it can make them feel a whole lot better about themselves and the situation they’re in.

9. Make them laugh.

Laugher really is the best medicine. When you’re laughing, your mind automatically thinks you’re really happy and it can actually put you in a way better mood. So tell a joke, turn on a comedy they like, and just try to get them laughing so they can be happy again.

10. Talk about a similar situation you were in and how you got through it.

Being related to is something that makes people feel more comfortable. Nobody wants to feel like they’re alone in a situation but when they’re really sad, it’s easy to feel that way. Open up to them and try to find a situation of yours that was similar and explain how you got through it. Knowing that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel can do wonders for making someone feel better.

Cheering someone up is no easy task. You can’t just tell them to feel better and expect it to work. They can be your best friend, your significant other, or even a family member. No matter who they are, these tips can help you make their day a little brighter.