Have you ever had to thank someone for making your day? If you have, then you’re one of the lucky ones who knows how great it feels. It may be time for you to make someone else’s day, too.
Spreading joy is something many people should do, but fail to do so. No wonder almost one in 12 Americans are depressed. It’s sad to think that the rates of anxiety and clinical depression are getting higher and higher by the minute.
There is, of course, hope. While medication works to heal those who suffer from depression, you can also do something to make someone’s day better.
Is it worth it? Definitely.
What It Takes
In social media, there’s always someone who posts a status or shares a post that says, “You don’t know what a person is going through, so always be kind.” Or at least something of that sort.
The statement makes sense because you can never tell if someone’s happy or not, or if a person is having a bad day or not.
Behind every smile is something that you don’t know. For some reason, a person may be smiling but he or she could be going through a rough time. The point is, you always have to be kind.
You won’t even have to do something grand. All you have to do to make someone’s day better is start with a small act of kindness.
Start small, as they say. Anything done out of kindness can make someone feel special. If you’re out there to uplift somebody else’s mood, be it a stranger or a friend, start with something small.
The significance of your action doesn’t depend on its size. Always keep that in mind. A person can make someone else happy as long as it’s done with pure sincerity.
Simplicity matched with sincerity can make all the difference in the world. That’s all it takes to make someone happy.
Now, ask yourself this: when was the last time you made someone else happy?
If it’s been a while, it’s never too late to do it. The bottom line is, now’s the time to make someone else’s day.
Start with a Smile
There are many things you can do to make someone’s day better. As mentioned earlier, start small.
For starters, you can never go wrong with a smile. A smile is contagious. More often than not, it can be the source of joy for someone.
Do you know how watching someone yawn can make you feel like yawning, too? That’s also how a smile works, although, of course, you can’t please everyone.
The mere act of looking pleased with someone — but not in a creepy way — can make someone feel better. Think of it like you’re spreading joy through your smile.
So give it a try. As you’re on your way to work, smile. Smile at any person who meets your eyes. Whether you’re on your way to work or on your way to the grocery, just do it.
Smiling doesn’t just make it better for another person; it also makes you feel better. It activates the release of neuropeptides that can ward off stress. Neuropeptides are small molecules that let neurons communicate. They send a message to the whole body when you’re happy, sad, angry, or excited.
So don’t underestimate the power of a smile. It’s a small gesture that can go a long way.
Compliments Always, Always, Always Work
There always a reason to say something nice to another person. There’s no stopping you from doing so if you feel like it. If you really want to make someone else’s day, give that person a good compliment.
Everyone appreciates a compliment, whatever it is. So, go ahead and don’t hesitate. Just blurt it out. Once or twice a day, say something to your workmate, neighbor, or to your sibling.
Here are some of the compliments you may want to try.
- You’re more helpful than you think.
- You have a contagious smile. (This is a fact, according to science.)
- Your laughter makes me want to laugh, too.
- Having you as my friend is something I am thankful for.
- On a scale of one to 10, you are an 11.
- You’re beautiful, inside and out.
- You are a wonderful human being and I hope you know that.
- You’re like sunshine on a rainy day.
- You bring out the best in me.
- You’re smart and you amaze me.
- Your work is impressive.
You make jokes funnier than anyone else.- You inspire me to do my best and be the best.
- You make my life, and everyone else’s, colorful.
- You make our community better just by being in it.
- They say there’s always a silver lining to everything, and you always know where it is.
- You are brave.
- I admire you for getting back up again every single time life knocks you down.
- A bubble wrap is nothing compared to your bubbly personality.
- A breath of fresh air is nothing when I’m with you.
- You’re gorgeous, and that’s the least interesting thing about you.
- You know how to get going when you’ve made up your mind about something.
- You give “awesome” a whole new meaning.
- You smell like an English garden.
- I like you better than unicorns because you’re real.
With these compliments, you can rest assured you can make another human being happy.
Whenever you spread joy, you make yourself happy, too. It’s the act that comes back at you. It’s as if you’re giving happiness to a mirror.
Why?
When you make other people happy, you see their faces light up with joy. You know in your mind and in your heart that you did a good thing. Your self-esteem shoots up because of this fact.
Again, you get what you give when you make other people happy. In time, you will notice that other people treat you the way you treat them.
A smile is a compliment itself. The bottom line is: both acts can make someone else’s day.
But the question is: are you ready to make someone happier? Go ahead and enjoy.
