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If someone you care about is feeling down and needs some cheering up, who better to help them than you, their awesome, supportive friend? Still, it's not always easy to know what to do or say when a friend is feeling sad. That's why we've put together this list of simple things you can do to cheer up your friend and get them smiling again. Try one or more of the suggestions below, and hopefully your friend will be happy again in no time.

Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

Cheering Up Your Friend

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  1. Relationships, no matter the form, are a key to happiness. Therefore, just spending time with your friend can make both of you happier. Make sure to encourage one another, as well as offer gratitude for the relationship, all of which will increase her happiness.
    • For instance, you could let her know that you value her friendship by telling her regularly, such as saying "I just want you to know how glad I am you're in my life," or by sending her a card every now and then.
  2. "Laughter is the best medicine" is a saying for a reason. Laughing can make you happier and healthier as a person, so try to get your friends to laugh by cracking jokes or even poking (light) fun at yourself.
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  3. Everyone needs to hear they are smart, strong, and beautiful sometimes. Don't be afraid to tell your friend these things, as they can help her build confidence and self-esteem. Try to make your compliments unique to the person, so she knows you truly mean what you say.[1]
    • For instance, saying "I really like how you take the time to listen to everyone you meet. It shows how much you care about people." is a more specific compliment then, "You're a good listener."
    • Any time you hear your friend putting themselves down, try to respond with a compliment or some encouraging words. This can help your friend see themselves in a more positive light.[2]
    Brene Brown
    Brene Brown, Author & Professor of Social Work

    Real friends celebrate each other. "Good friends aren’t afraid of your light. When something good happens to you, they celebrate your flame. When something good happens to them, you celebrate their flame."

  4. If your friend is grouching about a situation at work, for instance, help her see the positive side of things.[3] That doesn't mean you should downplay her feelings. In fact, definitely hear out her problem before reacting. But try to help her asking probing questions such as, "What things can you do to make the situation better?" or "What's been happening at work lately that's been good?"
    • Research shows that those who choose to look for happiness learn to be more optimistic overall, making them happier in general.
  5. True happiness is in part about the adventure. It may mean you may need to step outside of what's comfortable and try something new, and in turn, discover new things you love. If you want your friends to be happy, encourage them to try new things with you.
    • For instance, try a new restaurant in your city, explore nearby towns, or begin a new hobby together.
  6. Pick a time when you have no agenda. Just give her a call to say hello, and see how she's doing. Nothing says, "I'm thinking about you." like giving someone a call.[4]
  7. You know what your friend likes. Maybe she can't live without an afternoon coffee, or maybe she has a penchant for black forest cake. Surprise her by bringing one of them to her when you know she's having a rough day.[5]
  8. Dancing gets your blood pumping, plus it's silly and fun. Put some music on, and rock out together.[6]
  9. Not many people get handwritten notes anymore. It's so rare, in fact, that it's bound to put a smile on her face. Drop a note in the mail to her. If you include one with a funny card, that's a bonus.[7]
  10. Drop by with her favorite casserole. Do a chore you know she hates to do, like mow the lawn. Send her a small present you know she'll love. Any concrete gesture will be sure to brighten her day.[8]
    • Reader Poll: We asked 1019 wikiHow readers how they prefer to comfort someone, and only 6% of them agreed that the best way to do so is by making their favorite food. [Take Poll] While this can be a great gesture, try to find out if there’s anything you can do to take some stress off of them.
  11. One of the best ways to make your friends happier is to be happier yourself. That is, you tend to be happier when you are around people who are happier. Similarly, your happiness will rub off on your friends.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 2:

Supporting a Friend Who's Depressed

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  1. Sometimes, just being with a friend who's depressed can be a big help. If you can't be there with the person, offer your emotional support, letting her know that you're there to listen and help in whatever way you can.[10] [11]
  2. Being depressed can make the smallest things hard. You can offer concrete support to the person, such as volunteering to drive her places, cooking for her, or calling to make appointments for things she needs to get done. Just make sure to follow through on what support you offer.[13]
    • Go ahead and make the offer of support up front. Sometimes people who are depressed have a hard time reaching out for help when they need it.
  3. Even something small can mean a great deal to someone who's depressed. Bring her a coffee, or drop her a note in the mail. Try cooking her a plate of sweet treats she'll enjoy. These small gestures add up, letting her know that she's loved and you are thinking about her.
  4. If she hasn't already, try to get her to seek a professional opinion. Ask her if she's talked to a therapist or a psychiatrist, both of which can help with depression.[14]
    • Because mental illnesses have a stigma in society, you should also mention that she shouldn't feel ashamed of getting help. Depression is just a disease like any other one, and it can be treated.
    • If she's hesitant, offer to take her to an appointment or to work with her to help her feel less anxious. Maybe you can help her work through what to say or what questions to ask when she gets there.[15]
  5. If she's not willing to see a psychologist, look up some local support groups for people with depression. You can give her the information to encourage her to go, but it's ultimately up to her. However, one way you can encourage her is to offer to take her.[16]
  6. Many times, people with depression will isolate themselves. Encourage her to spend time with you doing things she likes or taking a walk with you. Getting out and seeing people can help on the road to recovery.[17]
    • Of course, you have to meet people where they are. If she doesn't feel like going out right away, ask if she wants some company at home or if she wants to come over to your house.
  7. You're only trying to be helpful by offering advice such as "Just buck up," or "You really need to snap out of this." However, these types of statements tend to only make the situation worse. Supportive statements are much better, such as, "I know you're going through a difficult time. I do believe you are strong enough to get through this, but don't be afraid to ask for help."
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    My best friend will become suddenly angry, and it will take time to cheer her up. What can I do? How do I make her happy?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    First try to find out why she is angry, and try to make her happy. Do something to help her forget about whatever made her angry in the first place.
  • Question
    My friend is crying right now because of a failed exam, how can I make her happy?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Just be with her, listen if she wants to talk about it, and remind her that one bad grade is not the end of the world. Tell her if she wants help studying for the next exam, you will be there for her. Then ask her to do something fun. Take her out for ice cream, watch her favorite movie, etc.
  • Question
    What can I do when my best friend is crying and making me cry and saying that she hates her life and wants to be gone?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Those are very serious things to say. If someone says that they want to hurt themselves or die, they are probably suffering from depression, and unfortunately you can't just cheer them up at that point. Depression is a disease. Talk to an adult, like your parents or your friends parents, and tell them what she's said. The best thing you can do for your friend is to get her some help.
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About This Article

Lena Dicken, Psy.D
Co-authored by:
Clinical Psychologist
This article was co-authored by Lena Dicken, Psy.D. Dr. Lena Dicken is a Clinical Psychologist based in Santa Monica, California. With over eight years of experience, Dr. Dicken specializes in therapy for anxiety, depression, life transitions, and relationship difficulties. She utilizes an integrative approach combining Psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioral, and Mindfulness-based therapies. Dr. Dicken holds a BS in Integrative Medicine from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, an MA in Counseling Psychology from Argosy University Los Angeles, and a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D) in Clinical Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Westwood. Dr. Dicken’s work has been featured in GOOP, The Chalkboard Magazine, and in numerous other articles and podcasts. She is a licensed psychologist with the state of California. This article has been viewed 150,336 times.
37 votes - 79%
Co-authors: 26
Updated: August 9, 2024
Views: 150,336
Article SummaryX

To make your friend happy, start by spending time with them and do things that you both enjoy doing together. If your friend is feeling down or sad, try telling jokes or remind them that their friendship is important to you. Then, try complimenting your friend to remind them of all of their wonderful qualities that make them so great. If they're struggling with school, work, or family issues, listen to them and talk through the problem by being supportive and understanding while encouraging them to remain positive. For tips on making your friend smile during hard times, keep reading!

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