Bring them a coffee/tea
When a friend is having a stressful day, sometimes all they need is a little pick-me-up. Now I’m not saying that some caffeine or a fun little drink is going to fix somebody’s mental problems, but it’s a thoughtful little gift of encouragement and a way to say “you got this.” Even a Venmo for $5 with the little caption “coffee break” sends a cute message that you’re thinking about your friend and want to offer something up to help.
Send them a cute little text message
Especially if your friend confides in you about their mental struggles that day, sending a little text message that includes either some form of encouragement or understanding about their situation shows that you were listening to and thinking about them.
Do them a little favor
Sometimes people don’t want interaction when they’re stressed or doing something. They don’t want to have to respond to a text or meet you for coffee. In this case, consider doing something to make their day easier. Something to take just a little stress out of their day. For example, if your friend happens to be your roommate, maybe do the dishes or their laundry for them—something that they would’ve had to do themselves but no longer have to because you took the responsibility. If your love language is acts of service, this should be right up your alley.
Go on a little friend date
While sometimes people need alone time when dealing with a mental issue, some people crave the opposite. Sometimes the best thing you can do for a friend is just be there. You could just sit alone for hours in a room talking or watching a movie. You could also plan a fun outing: go get ice cream or go out for some drinks. The presence of somebody else can be a huge help.
Make some fun plans with them to look forward to
Especially if your friend is going through a rough patch, planning something for the two of you to do in the future can be the perfect anecdote. While you may not be able to help in the moment, you can give them something to look forward to in the future when they’re feeling a little better. This plan can be a small adventure like going out to dinner on Friday or it can be a full-out trip like a summer weekend in the city.
