When you care about someone, it’s natural to want to help them feel their best. Your friends, family, coworkers, and other connections make up your support network. There are many ways to show your love and appreciation for them. At Gerst, we know how precious time is, so we encourage others to tell and show their loved ones how much they mean to them whenever they get the chance. One simple act can turn around a bad day or make someone feel seen and loved.
Brighten someone’s day through love languages
The “Love Languages” are a concept that categorizes the ways people prefer to give and receive affection. There are five main love languages, and everyone has a primary and secondary one. Your love language is how you naturally show people that you care, and it’s also how you interpret other people’s actions. Understanding your own love language and the love languages of those you care about can help you show your love and appreciation in ways that are most meaningful to them. Love languages can be a valuable tool to help you articulate what you need when grieving or to help others grieving around you.
- Words of Affirmation: Expressing love through verbal compliments and encouragement.
- Acts of Service: Showing love by performing helpful actions or doing things for others.
- Receiving Gifts: Demonstrating love through thoughtful and meaningful presents.
- Quality Time: Valuing and cherishing moments spent together, focusing on undivided attention.
- Physical Touch: Conveying love through physical gestures like hugs, kisses, and holding hands.
To find the perfect way to brighten someone’s day, consider habits and trends in your relationship with them. The coworker who always offers to buy your morning coffee may have gifts as their love language. A family member who clears the table after every holiday meal might feel drawn to acts of service. If you leave notes for your loved ones to discover throughout their day, your love language may be words of affirmation.
Once you learn what someone appreciates, you can uncover subtle ways they show your appreciation. Here are some easy, thoughtful ways to brighten someone’s day and show you care.
#1. Share coffee or a meal
One of the easiest ways to brighten someone’s day is with a cup of coffee or a thoughtful treat. This simple gesture shows appreciation and lets them know you were thinking of them. Picking up dinner for someone is another way to show you care; it can be significant if they’re going through a hard time or if you know their favorite takeout meal and want to surprise them. Sharing a drink or meal creates an experience that demonstrates your appreciation and your desire to spend quality time with them. These small acts of kindness support someone and strengthen your connection by showing you value them.
#2. Spend time together in nature
Getting a breath of fresh air cannot only make someone’s day, but it can also brighten your mood! Ask a friend to go for a hike, go canoeing, or have a beach day. Try to eliminate distractions and focus on being present as you spend quality time with the person while getting an extra serotonin boost from being outside.
#3. Be a good listener
Everyone wants to feel heard. To truly connect with others, ask how they are and be ready to listen, no matter their response. Use intentional body language—make eye contact, nod occasionally, turn your body towards them, and eliminate distractions like phones or TV. Focus on understanding what they are saying rather than planning your response. Being fully present and actively listening can be just the support they need, and it shows that you genuinely care about their feelings and experiences.
#4. Relive happy memories
One of the best ways to brighten someone’s day is to relive shared positive memories from the past. You can do this by looking through old pictures or social media posts and telling them how much the experience means to you and how glad you are to have shared it. Try recreating the physical experience as much as possible by visiting the place of a shared memory. By reminiscing, you show your loved one that you value those shared moments and reaffirm your care for them.
#5. Learn a new skill together
A unique way to brighten someone’s day is to surprise them with the chance to learn a new skill together! Connecting over the excitement of learning something new can deepen your bond. Consider signing up for a hands-on workshop like a cooking or ceramics class. Watch an online tutorial on knitting, cooking a specific dish, or painting for a more budget-friendly option. Brainstorm together to find a skill you both want to learn and continue practicing. This shared experience provides quality time not only during the learning process but also as you continue to enjoy the activity together.
At Gerst, we’re here to support you through all seasons of life. We understand how difficult it is to navigate the burden of grief, and we encourage you to find ways to show your loved ones how much you care while they are still here. Whether you need preplanning assistance or strategies to cope with grief, we’re ready to help relieve some of the burden.
