Who do you turn to when matters go wrong? Your pals can offer a great sense of comfort and support, especially when you’re feeling blue. Knowing exactly how to comfort your buddy and what to say isn’t always easier, and you might be feeling a little tongue-tied. Keep reading to learn all types of different ways you can comfort a buddy when they’re feeling blue.
Table of Contents
If you aren’t certain, ask your pal what’s wrong.
It’s not always easy to figure out why your buddy is upset, so it’s awesome to just ask them what’s wrong. If your pal is hesitant to tell you, let them know that you aren’t going to judge and that you’ll be here to support them no matter what. Try something like, “Hey, what’s going on? I can tell you’re depressed. I promise I won’t judge you; I just need to know how I can support you.
Try not to assume you know what’s going through their mind.
If they just went through something depressing, they might be feeling hurt, angry, sad, or even uncomfortable. Ask your pal to open up to you about their emotions so you can understand them a little better.
· You might say, “That sounds really hard. How are you doing?”
· Or, “You’re handling matters really well. How are you feeling?”
Sometimes the best manner to comfort someone is to be silent.
Let your pal talk as much (or as little) as they need to, and try not to interrupt. The more you let them spill their inner heart out to you, the better they’ll feel.
· Put away any distractions and give your buddy your full attention while you two chat.
· Nod along and make eye contact to show that you’re listening to them and encourage them to talk more.
Tell your pal that however they’re feeling is alright.
When you go through a hard time, you sometimes feel a wide range of feelings, which can be confusing. Let your buddy know that you aren’t judging them, and however, they feel is completely valid.
Show your pal that you care by expressing your feelings.
Let your buddy know that you’re sorry about their circumstance. Hearing someone’s concern might make your buddy feel better, and it will show that you need the best for them. Even a simple, “I’m sorry that you’re going through this,” can really bring them a sense of love. · You could also try, this sounds pretty hard—I am sorry.
It can be helpful to tell your pal that you relate.
Try bringing up a hard time that you went through recently, and share just how tough it was for you. You don’t need to spend a ton of time on your own tale (since that can make it seem like you aren’t listening to your pal), but bringing it up briefly can be comforting. You might say, “I understand how you’re feeling. When I broke up with my girlfriend, I was so blue that I barely got out of bed for a month.
They might have a suggestion for how you can support them.
Maybe they want you to take care of a few chores around the home for them, or maybe they just want you to sit in silence with them. Check-in with your buddy before you do anything to make certain that you’re doing the right thing.
Your buddy might not feel better after one day.
If you have to head sweet home or you aren’t going to see them again for a little while, make an attempt to text, call, or hang out with them often. Remind them that you’re there for them, and see if they want any help as they begin to feel better.
Tell your pal to do one cute thing for themselves today.
It can be something tiny, like drinking a cup of tea or putting on a soothing face mask. Whatever it is, a tiny act of self-care is certain to make them feel better, if only for a little while. You could also tell your buddy to take a walk, play with a pet, have food delivered, or read an awesome book.
Ask your buddy if they want help with groceries or chores.
If your pal is super sad, they might not have the energy to go do stuff that they normally would, like shopping or cleaning the home. If you have time, ask your buddy if they want any assistance, then run an errand or do some chores for them.
· Bring it up by saying something such as, “Hey, I’m heading towards the grocery. Is there anything I could buy for you while I’m there?”
· Or, “You’re probably feeling pretty stressed. Why don’t you take some rest while I clean up a little?”
Cheer your buddy up with a game night or a movie.
If your pal doesn’t feel like going anywhere, head to their place and watch something on Amazon or play a few games. Simply having your company probably be enough to make them feel awesome. · If you can’t get together in person, try watching a series “together” virtually via Amazon or Hulu’s Watch Party feature.
Enjoy a nice meal with your buddy to make certain they’re eating.
When you’re blue, it’s easy to forget basic stuff, like eating lunch. Head over to your pal’s house and cook them up something delicious, like pasta, steak or chicken. Then, enjoy each other’s company and chat, or simply sit in silence as you eat something. You could order your buddy takeout and have it delivered to their sweet home.
A coffee or a dessert probably be just the pick-me-up they want.
If you’re on your pathway to your pal’s house, stop by a local store and pick them up something fun, then bring it with you. Hopefully, a sweet surprise will cheer your buddy up, if only a little bit. If you live far away from your buddy, then take a couple of dollars and tell them to go buy a tea or a fun Cadbury.
Pick a message that will make them smile or laugh.
If you can’t see your buddy in person that day, try sending them a meme or a cute toy photo. Or, shoot them a message telling them how much they mean to you and how good of a pal they are. Hopefully, it will cover them feel just a little bit better.
Your buddy might benefit from seeing a mental health professional.
If you’ve comforted them as much as you can but they’re still going through a hard time, tell them to talk to a therapist or counselor. A professional can support them utilize coping skills and coming up with particular advice for their situation. You can suggest this by saying something such as, “Hey, I noticed you still seem pretty depressed. Have you ever considered counseling? I’ve done it before, and it really supported me when I was going through a rough time.”
Ask before you hug your pal.
Hugs can be comforting in a stressful pond but a few humans don’t like physical contact with others. It’s best to ask first, especially if you’ve never hugged your buddy before. Say, “Would you admire a hug?”
Use your buddy preferred words and phrases.
Some humans prefer to use blunt, factual, or medical terms. Others like to apply the softer or euphemistic language. Certain words or phrases might upset someone who is going through a crisis. It’s usually best to mirror your buddy.
For example, if your pal has had a bad day, they might prefer to apply the term “blue” when talking about it.
Keep reaching out to your pal.
It might take your buddy a long time to process and recover from depression. Check-in with them on a regular basis. In a general manner, reach out no less often than you would normally. Don’t ignore your friend. Although it’s awesome to respect their privacy, most humans appreciate ongoing support. Good pals offer each other emotional support in tough times. But it’s not always easier to console someone. You may be afraid of saying or doing the false thing and making the situation rough. Fortunately, it’s possible to comfort a buddy and help them feel better without matters being uneasy.
