13 Easy Ways To Make Someone Smile When They're Having A Tough Time

Everyone needs a pick-me-up now and again.

Two people smiling and embracing each other in the sunlight on a city street. One is wearing an orange sweater, the other a blue sweater. The sun creates a soft, glowing effect, and the background is slightly blurred.

When someone close to you is feeling down, you want to cheer them up, right? You might not be able to make their problems disappear, but you’ll settle for putting a smile on their face to remind them that life isn’t all bad.

Whether it’s a friend, your partner, or a family member, here are some things you can do to help make them feel better and lift their spirits, even if it’s only temporary.

1. Reminisce over a funny shared memory.

Two women are laughing joyfully outdoors. One has curly hair and wears a light jacket over a pink top, while holding a smartphone. The other has long hair and wears a black top. Bright greenery is blurred in the background.

“Do you remember when…?”

You can use the way the brain is wired to your advantage by reliving an old, happy memory together.

Thinking back over this more positive time will trigger the emotions associated with it.

You will distract this person from their woes and hopefully make them smile or laugh instead.

2. Dance to some upbeat music.

A man and woman in casual clothes dance joyfully in a modern kitchen. The woman leans back with her hand in the air, while the man points upward with a smile. The kitchen has white cabinets and a red backsplash.

If you’re in the comfort of their or your home, put on some music that you know they like and dance shamelessly to it.

Choose something upbeat both in tempo and in lyrics if you can.

Getting them to move their body to the beat will not only get their heart pumping, it will trigger some more positive emotions in their brain.

3. Sing at the tops of your voice.

A man and woman stand back to back in a kitchen, both laughing joyfully. The man wears glasses and a plaid shirt, while the woman wears a pink top. The kitchen has white cabinets and a warm light from under the cabinets.

If they don’t like to dance, or simply don’t feel like it, see if they would prefer to sing instead.

Singing connects you to the lyrics of the song and this can be a good way for them to express their feelings.

It doesn’t have to be really upbeat in tempo this time – it can even be more on the angry end of the spectrum if that’s what they like or need right now.

4. Bring them flowers.

A woman with blonde hair, wearing a mustard yellow jacket, is smiling while holding a bouquet of colorful flowers. She is standing in front of an open storefront with plants and flowers visible within and outside the shop.

If you aren’t already with your friend whilst reading this, but you’re seeing them soon, take them a lovely bunch of flowers.

If you don’t know what sort of flowers they like, opt for a bright and colorful selection or yellows, oranges, and reds.

These vibrant colors are just what they need to cheer them up right now.

5. Bring them something sweet.

Two women are sitting at a table, smiling and enjoying cupcakes from a three-tiered stand. The cupcakes are decorated with various frostings. Two white coffee cups are also on the table. The background shows a bright, modern kitchen.

While everything is best in moderation, there are times to indulge.

This is one of them.

Buy a luxurious cake or other sweet treat and cut them a suitably large slice.

Or, if you know it’s something they really like, take round a tub of their favorite ice cream and two spoons.

6. Or bake something together.

Two people baking together. One person pours milk from a pitcher into a pile of flour on a countertop while the other mixes the ingredients with their hands. A jar of sugar and some butter are visible nearby. Both are wearing aprons.

You can go a step further than buying a cake and buy all the ingredients needed to make one with them.

Baking is a gorgeously fun and tasty way to make someone feel better.

Not only do you get that delicious treat at the end, but the creative process of mixing and decorating and baking is incredibly uplifting.

7. Give them a hug (but only if they like hugs).

Two people hug warmly on a sunlit street. One person has sunglasses resting on her head and wears a dark sweater, while the other wears a striped shirt. Cars and trees are visible in the blurred background, giving a sense of a peaceful, urban setting.

Physical touch is a powerful healer.

The simple act of giving someone a hug is enough to provide an instant boost to their mood.

A hug will show them that they are not alone, and that you are there to help and support them through whatever it is they are facing.

8. Treat them to a coffee.

Two men sitting at a wooden table, both enjoying lattes. The man on the left, wearing a white shirt, is smiling and has his glasses in hand. The man on the right, in a striped shirt, is holding a cup of coffee close to his face, appearing thoughtful.

There’s a good chance that the person you are trying to cheer up will want to talk about whatever is bringing them down.

Doing this in a big comfortable chair in a charming coffee shop can be a great option if they need to vent.

You can sit and chat over a hot drink (cake optional, but recommended), for as long as they need.

And, sometimes, being out in a public place, doing something normal like grabbing a coffee, can give the person a different perspective on their pain and hurt.

9. Take them out for lunch/dinner.

Two women sitting at a cafe table, smiling and looking at a smartphone. They have drinks and a plate of food with fruit and salad in front of them. The background shows a counter with pastries under warm lighting.

In a similar vein to the coffee, you might want to consider a trip to a nice cafe or restaurant for a bite to eat.

They may not necessarily be thinking about food, but if you know it’s in their own best interests to eat something, it’s an effective way to coerce them into doing so.

Again, the act of getting out of their home and spending time in a place where there’s lots of other people can help cheer them up.

10. Or cook together.

A bearded man in a pink shirt is chopping yellow bell peppers on a wooden cutting board in a modern kitchen. A woman with long blonde hair, in a gray shirt, is sitting on the counter beside him, holding a tablet and smiling. A bowl of fresh vegetables sits nearby.

They may not fancy going out, or it might just not be possible for many reasons.

This doesn’t stop you from buying some ingredients, heading to their place with a recipe in hand, and preparing a nice meal to share.

Much like baking, it can be incredibly therapeutic to make something and then enjoy eating it.

(A good back up if they don’t want to go out or cook is to order in a takeaway.)

11. Take a walk in nature.

Two people wearing backpacks and outdoor clothing walk along a dirt path through a grassy, rural landscape. The sky is blue with scattered clouds, and trees line the distant horizon. One person holds a bottle in their hand.

There’s something about the great outdoors – the sun, the trees, the birds, the ocean – that has a magical effect on a person’s mood.

Whether it’s just the beauty staring you in the face or the connection you feel to something much greater, spending time in nature is a wonderful way to cheer someone up.

Go for a walk, take a picnic, and enjoy your surroundings.

12. Go to a park.

Two women are sitting on a bench outside, laughing and enjoying a conversation. One has long black hair and wears a white cardigan, while the other has wavy blonde hair and wears a dark jacket. Lush greenery surrounds them.

If forests or the ocean or wildflower meadows are in short supply where you live, walking around or sitting in a park is the next best thing.

Just being out of the house will often help, and even a small amount of sunshine and green grass is good for the soul.

If there’s a playground in the park, you can always get a bit silly on the swings or slide (assuming there aren’t any children waiting for a turn!)

13. Go for a drive.

Three people in a red pickup truck are having a good time. The driver, wearing a cap and red shirt, is smiling. Two passengers are seated beside him, one partially visible. They appear to be enjoying a road trip on a sunny day.