When you want to cheer someone up, there are a variety of easy things you can do to make that happen. Here are seven small ways you can make a big difference:
1) Smile more!
Sounds simple, but you have no idea how many of us walk around with angry expressions without even realizing it. Odds are, people will smile back, and if not, at least you are! Smiling will also release endorphins which will make you feel happier, too.
2) Give a sincere compliment.
When you really like something about someone, say it. People can tell when you’re being sincere, and they’ll appreciate your honesty. Next time you see a girl with a cool hairdo that probably took hours to style, or a neat outfit or accessory that you’ve never seen before, let that person know it.
3) Say “thank you” next time you’re at a dining hall.
Having worked in a dining hall, I can tell you it cheered me up when students would actually acknowledge my presence and say “thank you” after grabbing a plate I just arranged. Small things like this go a long way and certainly don’t go unnoticed. This also goes for other people we take for granted in our lives (our doctor, our parents, etc), so show a little gratitude.
4) Send a loved one a “just because” text.
We receive so many boring run-of-the-mill texts every day, usually not consisting of real conversation or real English (“brb”, “ttyl”). So imagine how nice it would be to see a heartfelt note from your best friend, significant other, roommate, or whomever. Do the same for them! Bonus points for texting a parent, who you just know is dying to hear from you at college.
5) Offer up your seat in a crowded place.
Particularly if you see someone in heels, pregnant, older, or tired, you can bet they’ll be really thankful of this gesture. Thoughtfulness is always appreciated.
6) Make a dad joke.
No matter how cheesy or corny, even a bad attempt at a joke will make most people smile. Humor is a quick way to add some color to a rough day.
7) Give some TLC to someone who’s bummed out.
When you see a friend having a bad day, tap into an inside joke or personal anecdote to cheer them up. For example, my amazing roommate knows I’m obsessed with popcorn and left a bag of it taped to my door:
In the end, cheering someone up is a two-way street. And remember, what goes around comes around.
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