It’s normal for someone to feel down at times, not because they are sick but because they are facing a situation that’s making them sad and unhappy. Being able to cheer someone when they are down is a very useful trait that could make people value you more. Being able to do this will help your relationship with your partner, friends, family and even colleagues at work.
So how then can you cheer someone up when they are down?
1. LISTEN
The first and basic step to cheering someone up is to provide a listening ear. Listen to what that person has to say and try as much as possible to understand and relate with the person’s experience and what that person is going through.
2. BE THERE
Sometimes the best thing you can do to cheer someone up is just to be there. Just listen to that person, be there when they need someone to talk to or someone to be with, and your presence alone can do a lot to cheer that person up.
3. CARE AND EMPATHISE
It’s better to empathise with that person than to sympathise with them. Just care about what they are going through and about how they feel, and you’d leave so much impact.
4. BE POSITIVE
If that person is going through a bad situation, rather than sympathise with the person, be positive and say positive things. Be a positive light in that person’s darkness, and your positive energy can fuel belief and hope.
5. DISTRACT THE PERSON FROM THAT NEGATIVE SITUATION
Think of a way to distract that person from that negative situation. If they are alone, all they’d do is think about that negative situation and it would make them more depressed. Rather than let them do that, provide a way to have fun or do something entertaining or something that would distract their minds from that situation they are going through.
6. TAKE A WALK WITH THEM
Taking a walk is huge form of exercise and stress reliever, and the good thing about it is that it can distract the person’s mind and provide a positive feeling.
7. COOK IF YOU CAN
If you have a friend, partner or family member that’s feeling down, a good thing you can do is cook for that person. The aroma of a sweet dish can cheer that person up, lift their minds and make them forget they were having a bad day.
8. GIVE A HUG TO THAT PERSON
Hug is another great stress reliever that doesn’t cost anything. Giving that person a hug would make them feel cared for, valued and loved. A hug will fill that person with a positive emotion.
9. DO SOMETHING TO MAKE THEM FEEL SPECIAL
Do something, no matter how little that would make that person feel cared for and special. It could be a card, a note about them or a little gift; it could be anything.
You don’t have to be a comedian or an entertainer to cheer someone up when they are down, just these simple tips will go a long way in turning that person’s mood around.
Jake