12 ways to cheer up a sad, depressed or grieving friend

picks

* Give your friend the gift of hope. Be painfully optimistic. Speak often about how things will get better, happier, and less painful in the future. Paint a picture of a happy future filled with the things your friend wants. When a person is grieving, they need to hear optimistic, hopeful reminders.

People in pain need to talk and really be listened to. Listen with your full self. Look them in the eye. Give them feedback.

* Empathize. Don't judge your friend for their feelings, but put yourself in their shoes. Show that you understand and really feel what they feel.

* Listen, listen, listen. Even if you heard the same thing 1000 times, listen some more. People in pain need to talk and really be listened to. Listen with your full self. Look them in the eye. Give them feedback.

* Give your friend a massage, a hug, a head rub, a foot rub. Hold their hand, put your arms around them. Physical comfort can be very soothing and reassuring on a deep level.

* Show your friend how they can use their experience to help others. Often, a person's pain can be eased if they can see some useful and higher purpose for their pain. Show them ways to utilize the knowledge and understanding their pain has given them so they can help others.

* Pray with them or encourage them to participate in something spiritual that gives them hope and courage.

* Don't make them feel at fault or shamed for their pain. Don't make them feel less than or somehow flawed because their life isn't perfect.

* Encourage them get involved in a support group. A person in pain often finds relief by talking with others who are experiencing a similar pain.

* Be patient. Don't try to rush your friend's healing or make them feel weak or guilty for feeling bad.

* Give them books on the topic they are dealing with. Self-help, personal growth and inspirational books are good choices.

* Send them a card...send a card everyday for a month or a week. Leave a message on their answering machine everyday. Stay close in touch.

* Introduce them to others going through the same situation.

Bonus tip:
* Buy them a gift that is nostalgic and nurturing. A teddy bear, a doll, a picture of something symbolic of hope and happiness, a quilt.

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12 ways to cheer up a sad, depressed or grieving friend

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