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Small acts of kindness can have a big impact. Not only does offering support to your loved ones show you care, but you can benefit from it, too. Studies show that helping others can reduce stress, increase happiness, and even help you live longer.1,2
What’s the best way to show someone you care? Here are 7 simple and meaningful ideas.
How to show someone you care
Respond to “bids”
According to Dr. John Gottman, our loved ones will often make “bids” for our attention throughout the day. These bids are when a loved one says something like, “Want to see what I made during art class?” or “Take a look at this cute cat video.” These are everyday conversations that build emotional connection.
One good way to respond to bids is by active listening. You can show you’re actively listening by paying close attention to what others say. Let them know you’re listening by nodding, smiling, or adding to the conversation.
These seemingly small interactions can let our loved ones know we truly care about what’s important to them.
Practice mindfulness
It can be easy to get distracted by multiple screens and to-do lists. So, when you spend time with loved ones, make a point to limit interruptions. Put down your tablet or phone, and focus on staying present. Show up on time, actively listen, and avoid multitasking.
If you don’t have a lot of time, consider having a 5- or 10-minute phone call. Giving your undivided attention will make people feel valued and appreciated.
Lend a hand
We all need extra help from time to time — and that’s OK. You can show someone you care by offering to help when you think they might be struggling. If, for example, your sister just had a baby and is feeling overwhelmed, offer to run her errands or drop off a takeout meal so she can get some much-needed rest.
Express gratitude
Showing appreciation can make people feel good about what they do. How to express gratitude to a friend could be as simple as sharing a kind word. Or consider writing a thank-you note for the influence they’ve had in your life. Expressing gratitude can remind you both of the positive parts of your lives.
Celebrate success
When someone you love accomplishes a goal, be their personal cheerleading squad. Take time to celebrate their success and show interest in their life. No matter how you choose to celebrate — sending a congratulations text message, taking them out to dinner, donating to a charity or cause that’s important to them in their name — the other person will feel empowered by your support.
Spend time together
Sharing moments together can make you both feel closer and more connected. It can be as simple as meeting for coffee, watching a favorite movie together, playing a board game, or even chatting on the phone. The activity itself doesn’t matter — what matters is how the time spent together makes you feel.
Just be there
Listen to someone vent, be a shoulder to cry on, or hold their hand if they’re going through a tough time. These are all ways you can show compassion.
Even if you don’t know the right words to say, by just being there, you let the other person know how much they matter to you. This is especially important if a loved one is struggling with a mental health issue like depression. You don’t need to be a doctor or therapist to offer support — listening with an open mind can help them feel understood.
There are many ways to be there for someone. So, take time to show you care. You’ll strengthen your relationships and give your loved ones — and yourself — a dose of good health.