71 Ways To Comfort Someone, Cheer Them Up & Make Them Feel Better
It's never easy seeing someone crying or grieving, let alone someone you love.
Most of us find ourselves tongue-tied for words for a good reason.
Interacting with someone who's sad and hurting can be awkward.
You want to be there for them and show your empathy, but it is hard to know how to act and what to say.
A lot of us end up sitting there uncomfortably, offering some awkward back pats, while saying, "There, there, it's okay."
Why is it that we know how to celebrate someone's joy but have no clue what to do when they're hurting?
If you can relate to the situation of not knowing what to do when someone close breaks into tears, this article is for you.
But, before I share with you the best 71 ways to comfort someone, cheer them up and make them feel better, we have to be clear on our goals.
The prime goal of comforting is to ease someone's burden and suffering.
IN THIS ARTICLE
The best way to comfort someone
How do we comfort someone?
There are many tips online on how to provide emotional support and comfort to someone.
However, it is critical to note that not all comfort is similar for everyone.
What might work for you might not work for your partner.
McKay and McKay (2019) describe some of the best steps one can take to comfort someone.
For example, you can comfort someone by letting them know that you care or love them.
Another right way to comfort someone going through emotional pain is to help them understand their emotions (McKinzey, 2021).
Only then you can cheer them up, and make them feel better.
Remember, words are powerful tools. If used correctly, words can effectively comfort and ease someone's pain.
Dr. Sue Johnson, a clinical psychologist and arguably one of the best relationship experts in the world, has some excellent tips in her latest book: "Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love".
But, if you do not have time to read, I've summarised and categorized this article into 2 parts:
A. How to comfort someone
B. How to cheer someone up and make someone feel better
The Best Way How to Comfort Someone:
1. Acknowledge Their Feelings
"I hear you...It seems like you're upset because…I know that this is a hard time for you... I know that you're hurting…"
To start comforting someone, acknowledge and describe what you see, hear, and feel.
By witnessing and affirming what you see and rephrasing what they say, you help them know that you are on the same page and are not misinterpreting their situation.
2. Repeat Their Feelings
"Of course you're upset; I was also upset when … happened to me."