How do you cheer up a friend going through a rough patch?

Tea, jumping in leaf piles, Eddie Izzard’s stand-up comedy (probably some of the best I’ve ever seen), and playing either old video games (Mario Kart especially) or LittleBigPlanet. Just make sure they’re surrounded by friends and people who care about them.

Do whatever her interests are. Surprise her with gifts. Now that Nintendo Wii, it really makes people happy.

Road trip, hike, spa trip, weekend getaway.

I’m a big fan of singing silly songs until they start laughing. Then a field trip to the fun place of their choice. :)

Throw an 80’s or Disco dance party with good friends!

Go to a comfortable relaxed place with them and invite them to talk about whatever, and listen and just acknowledge the things they say. When they are stopped, ask them about what they love and appreciate about their life, or something along those lines.

Watch “Sex in the City”. Those women are so neurotic that she will feel much better about herself. Drunken Karaoke is fun. I go to a redneck dive in the middle of the woods where I know no one and do “It’s the End of the World as We Know It” which is quite a challenge and then follow it up with some “Bohemian Rhapsody” for good measure. A good time is had by all.

“The Pink Panther Stikes Again” is one of my favorite cheer-up movie to watch with friends.
The slow-motion fight with Cato along with Dreyfuss in the room below is pure magic, along with Clouseau and the mace, Clouseau as “dentist” and sooo many more.

“I thought you said your dog did not bite?”
”Zat is not my dog.”

@ forestgeek and rss
Great answers both of you. It is nearly impossible to feel bad when one is disco dancing, fun to do and fun to watch.
Singing silly songs is a stellar idea, show tunes maybe?

If it’s poof, I act like I am going to trip over something. That get’s her laughing every time!

Just getting together, talking, and laughing usually helps. At least temporarily.

Spa day! Pedicure, manicure, facial, massage..OH MY!

First and foremost DO NOT offering any advice!! Your presence is what they need. Just show up. Listen. A hug can speak volumes. Don’t try to solve their problem. Listen to their concerns and worries. Share their burden by sitting with them through it.

give them examples that you had to face….one time i had to lie :D but this really works