“If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else” – Booker T. Washington

We all know what it is to have a bad day… or week, or even longer. Whether it is because of a specific event or just the mood of that day, feeling down sometimes is a part of our lives and we try to find ways to cheer up and go back to our normal selves.

While we are in this state of gloom we tend to forget we might not be the only ones. Other people are feeling down right now too. And something no one has told us is that trying to cheer them up is one of the best remedies for our own sadness.

Why helping others helps you

People frequently feel depressed when, for a number or reasons, they get invaded by ideas of low self-worth. They don’t feel valued by others, they start considering themselves invisible and feeling like no one would miss them in their absence or notice their work and contributions to the world. Sounds familiar? When you feel that way, what would you like to hear that would make the sadness go away?

This being said, what seems like the logical solution for these people is to remind them why they’re important and how they influence others’ lives positively. And doing this for someone, lifting his or her spirits, gives an undeniable deal of satisfaction. If you are feeling blue, look for someone who needs some motivation just like you. It will surprise you to realize how much making others feel better helps your own mood. Words are powerful, and knowing you have the power to change someone’s day is going to lift you up as well.

Simple ways to make someone happier

Tell them today how important they are.

As we said before, words are powerful. Take some time today to call, write or visit those people that mean something to you and let them know. Thank them for being in your life and remind them why they’re great to have around. You never know; some of them may need to hear this more than you would imagine.

Be a good listener.

If someone has a problem, that person probably needs a friendly ear. Help them get rid of that burden or stress; sometimes all we need to feel much better is to be listened to by someone we trust. Be that friendly ear for someone. That person will be incredibly grateful and you will feel great for helping someone finish the day better than how they started it.

Be thoughtful.

Have you ever received a little gift from someone for no particular reason? That probably brightened up your day. Make someone else smile by letting them know you’re thinking of him or her. It could be a small but personalized gift (like a dessert you know that person really likes or a book), an invitation to go for coffee or drinks, flowers or a card if you know your friend will like them. The small things can be the most rewarding. Their happy faces will be an immediate lift for your own soul.