35 Ways to make someone happy today

I know we all are probably sick of being stuck in quarantine without seeing the beautiful faces of our friends. Maybe you've lost work, or significant plans were canceled due to the virus. With these uncertain changes, there comes a mourning period where we might not be able to see the positive, but I ask you now to consider the situation. Still, more and more people inhabiting city or rural areas are not getting exercise, increasing sedentary living, avoiding face-to-face contact, and their lives are suffering as a result. I do not suggest we break quarantine because we would most probably suffer from further spread of the virus; however, I feel tired of hearing those ads or famous people saying, "Just stay home, it's not that hard." Well, for the active and the shoebox-dwellers, it is that difficult, and I, for one, understand the challenge. My family lives in a trailer and being around one another 24/7 with little outside contact is difficult, but other people are in similar or harder situations. With such conditions, depression likely will increase. What we feel is normal! We were made to be social, to broaden our horizons, to work, to experience, to live, to dance, to run! So, let me be the first to say, I feel for you, for everyone. It's okay to be angry to wear a scowl, but please, don't get caught up in a frown. Scientific studies report that not only does happiness produce a smile, but smiling also produces happiness. I think it's time we take our joy back, and a considerable part of that is altruism (or doing something for someone else), and what's better than providing the people we love with a smile. So, without any more jargon, blabber, and nonsense, let me present to you some things you can do to make someone happy today.

1. Give them a call

2. Laugh

3. Write an appreciation letter

4. Write a story about a time you saw them at their best

5. Write down a list of things you would like to do with them after COVID-19

6. Complete an act of service

7. Listen to what they have to say (there are usually a plethora of problems)

8. Send them funny videos

9. Watch a movie together (maybe over the internet)

10. Ask them, "how can I serve you today" and follow through

11. Send them something meaningful (favorite flowers, book, hobby item etc...)

12. Share how you see them

13. Tell a joke

14. Love them completely

15. Be happy yourself

16. Smiles are contagious :)

17. Talk about something they are passionate about

18. Encourage them to complete their dreams

19. Bring hope through positivity

20. Make a thankfulness list together

21. Take a walk together (or virtually) getting outside in the woods is not illegal and is probably more safe than going to the store

22. Show empathy

23. Bake/cook something special for them (harder to do virtually)

24. Be proud of their accomplishments

25. Say I love you

26. Talk about dreams, aspirations, religion, and interests

28. Create a care package of all their favorite things

29. Be there when they're in need

30. Praise them in public and private

31.Tell them about some quirky things you would never change about them

32. Do something creative for them (draw them as a superhero, write a song, make a creative narrative, poem, short story etc...)

33. Tell them they're beautiful/handsome

34. Tell them that they make a difference

35. Overall, we are all in this together, so we can relate to all this hardship!