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Originally Posted On: https://oneloveapparel.com/blogs/news/5-simple-and-effective-ways-to-brighten-someone-s-day

 

Sometimes when you’re feeling low, helping to brighten someone’s day can help us feel better too. For example, at Christmas time, when you’ve found your friend the perfect gift. Think about watching their face as they open that present, how does it make you feel?

While giving gifts is a good way to make someone’s day, it’s not the only way. Today we’ll be going over 5 effective ways to help make someone’s day.

1. DOING CHARITY TO BRIGHTEN SOMEONE’S DAY

There’s no doubt that by volunteering we can brighten someone’s day. Whether you volunteer at your local animal shelter, homeless shelter, hospital, or retirement home.

Or if you’re short on time you can always donate resources to charity. This could be money, lightly used clothing or shoes, home goods, non-perishable foods, or hygiene products. You never know, your donated items could make someone’s day.

Not only does doing charity work help improve someone else’s day, but it could also make your day better too. Studies have shown that doing charity work can help you:

• Improve your self-esteem
• Lower blood pressure
• Lower symptoms of depression
• Lower stress levels

Besides making you feel good about yourself, it also helps you maintain connections and nurture new ones. It could help you improve your skills, or even get you a new position at work.

2. WASH THE DISHES

Maybe it doesn’t have to be the dishes. Any simple household task can really make a difference in someone’s day. It could be helping with laundry, taking out the trash, or making them dinner.

Instead of asking what you can do to help, offer to do what you see needs to be done. This can help you make a genuine connection with your friend or loved one. It’s especially helpful for friends that just had a baby, or if someone has not been feeling well.

Helping out with basic chores can also help show that person you appreciate them and what they do for you. Making it a nice gesture for any occasion.

3. “JUST BECAUSE” GIFTS

An unexpected gift is sure to put a smile on anyone’s face. It doesn’t have to be expensive or anything extravagant. It can be as simple as a sticker or tee shirt that made you think of that person.

Just like with doing charity work giving gifts to others, without expecting anything in return, can be a big mood lifter for you too. When you see your friend or loved one’s face light up after receiving your gift, your brain gets a free boost of serotonin.

4. WRITE A HANDWRITTEN LETTER

Taking the time to hand write a letter, especially now in the digital age, can really show someone how much you care about them. Even if it’s just to say thank you for being a part of your life.

You can write handwritten letters sent through snail mail. Or you can even leave love notes or notes of encouragement where they will find them. Surprise them with a note on their windshield, leave a note in their wallet or pocket, or leave a sticky note on a mirror.

5. GIVE A GENUINE COMPLIMENT

Receiving a compliment is one of the quickest and most effective ways to brighten someone’s day. It’s free and it helps deepen your connection with that person. Scientists have shown that receiving a compliment actually lights up the same areas of the brain that receiving a monetary reward does.

Getting a compliment has a tendency to make us feel more appreciated and seen. This can help you express your gratitude to that person and help deepen your connection with them. It can even help improve production at work, so be sure to compliment your coworkers often!

MORE WAYS TO IMPROVE SOMEONE’S DAY

If you’re looking to brighten your coworker’s day try to bring in baked goods like donuts, cake, pastries, or even the extra leftovers from your famous dish. Or you could organize a surprise party for a coworker’s birthday or retirement.

If you’re trying to make a friend’s day a bit brighter try inviting them out to lunch and paying for their meal. Or you could plan an activity to do together that they would enjoy. This could be going for a hike, attending a concert or movie, or even just a picnic at the park.

You can even spread kindness to strangers to help brighten their days. If you’re looking for ways to spread random acts of kindness try one of these ideas:

• Smile at a stranger
• Return the cart for someone
• Let someone in your lane on the interstate
• Hold the door open for someone
• Tip your server extra
• Share gratitude freely

There are so many ways to spread kindness and joy not just limited to what’s listed here.

MORE GOOD VIBES

Today we talked about making someone’s day better by acts of kindness like doing chores or writing a touching letter. We’ve talked about the effects of giving gifts and compliments to those we love.

We’ve even talked about how we can brighten someone’s day with charity. We here at One Love Apparel hold charity at the center of our mission, always choosing people over profit.

We give a portion of every sale we make to a rotating charity or cause. We even give some of our clothing away to events and organizations. So be sure to check out our store to help brighten someone’s day.