When someone you care about is feeling down, your natural inclination is going to be to try and put a smile back on their face.
Of course, cheering someone up who’s extremely miserable is easier said than done. However, if you go about it the right way, you can boost their mood and help them get back to their old self in no time by doing these things.
1. Send them a ridiculous meme or GIF.
Nothing says “I care” like a cat riding a unicorn or a baby falling asleep in spaghetti. Flood their phone with the silliest images you can find. Before you know it, they’ll be too busy laughing to remember why they were down in the first place. Just make sure your meme game is strong — nobody wants to see that “live, laugh, love” nonsense again.
2. Surprise them with their favourite snack.
Food is basically a hug for your insides. Whether it’s a bar of chocolate, a bag of crisps, or a fancy avocado toast (if they’re that kind of friend), surprise them with their go-to comfort food. It’s like saying “I know you’re sad, here’s some edible happiness.”
3. Give them a genuine compliment.
Tell them something you genuinely admire about them. Maybe they have great taste in music, or they’re killer at Excel spreadsheets. Whatever it is, make it specific and heartfelt. It’s like verbal confetti for their self-esteem. Just don’t go overboard, or they might think you’re buttering them up to borrow money.
4. Offer to do a small chore for them.
When life’s got you down, even simple tasks can feel overwhelming. Offer to do their dishes, walk their dog, or tackle that mountain of laundry. It’s like being their personal fairy godmother, minus the sparkly dress and talking mice. Who knows, you might even enjoy it (but let’s not get carried away).
5. Share a funny or embarrassing story about yourself.
Nothing cheers people up like knowing they’re not alone in their human moments. Share that time you walked into a glass door or called your teacher “mum”. Your mild humiliation is a small price to pay for their smile. Plus, it’s a great way to make sure they never forget that time you faceplanted in front of your crush.
6. Create a personalised playlist for them.
Music is like a time machine for emotions. Make them a playlist of songs that remind you of good times together, or tunes you know will lift their spirits. Throw in some cheesy classics for good measure — nobody can stay sad while listening to “Don’t Stop Believin'”. Just maybe skip the break-up songs, yeah?
7. Plan a spontaneous mini-adventure.
Sometimes you need to physically remove someone from their funk. Surprise them with a trip to that new ice cream place, a walk in the park, or a visit to the local pet shop to coo at puppies. It’s like a mini-holiday from their worries. But hey, try not to accidentally adopt seven cats in the process — that’s a different kind of problem.
8. Give them a good old-fashioned hug (if they’re okay with it).
Never underestimate the power of human contact. A good hug can work wonders. It’s like wrapping them in a cocoon of “everything’s gonna be alright”. Of course, you should make sure they’re okay with that first — not everyone’s a hugger, and an unwanted embrace is more awkward than cheering. Also, maybe check your deodorant situation first.
9. Write them a silly poem or song.
Source: Unsplash Channel your inner Shakespeare (or more realistically, your inner limerick writer) and craft a masterpiece about their awesomeness. The worse your rhymes, the better. “Roses are red, violets are blue, you’re feeling sad, but I think you’re great, shoe.” See? Instant smile. You might not win any literary awards, but you’ll win at friendship.
10. Show them cute animal videos.
Source: Pexels There’s a reason the internet is 90% cat videos. Pull up some adorable animal antics and watch their mood lift. Puppies learning to howl, kittens discovering mirrors, baby elephants figuring out their trunks — it’s like a shot of pure joy straight to the eyeballs. Warning: may result in hours of “just one more video” syndrome.
11. Teach them a useless but entertaining skill.
Distract them by showing them how to do something completely random. Maybe it’s juggling socks, speaking pig Latin, or doing that weird thumb trick. It gives them something to focus on besides their worries, and hey, they might discover a hidden talent. You never know, you might be launching their career as a world-famous sock juggler.
12. Leave them surprise sticky notes.
If you have access to their space, leave little notes of encouragement in unexpected places. On their mirror, in their sock drawer, on the milk carton. Keep them simple and sweet: “You’ve got this!” or “You’re awesome!” Of course, don’t go overboard, or they might think their house is haunted by a very supportive ghost.
13. Reminisce about a funny shared memory.
Bring up that time you both got lost and ended up in that weird museum of spoons, or when you tried to bake a cake and it turned into a Frisbee. Laughing together is a powerful mood-lifter, and it reminds them of the good times. Just make sure it’s a memory they also find funny — your hilarious recollection might be their cringe moment.
14. Offer to be their personal cheerleader for the day.
Source: Unsplash Tell them you’re going to hype them up for everything they do today. Making tea? “Wow, look at that water-pouring technique!” Putting on socks? “Incredible sock-to-foot coordination!” It’s silly, but it can be surprisingly uplifting. Just don’t follow them into the bathroom — there are limits to friendship.
15. Have a ridiculous dance-off.
Put on some tunes and challenge them to a dance battle. The sillier your moves, the better. Flail those arms, shake that booty, pull out your best “dad at a wedding” routine. It’s hard to stay glum when you’re doing the robot or attempting to floss. Plus, laughter-induced ab workouts are the best kind.
16. Simply ask, “How can I help?”
Source: Pexels Sometimes, the best way to cheer someone up is to simply ask what they need. They might want to talk, or they might want to sit in comfortable silence. They might need practical help or just a listening ear. By asking, you’re showing you care and you’re there for them, whatever they need. It’s like being a supportive chameleon, adapting to exactly what they need in that moment.
