We've all felt feelings of emotional pain and sadness at one time or another- as much as it hurts, it's all part of the human experience. And while it's difficult to deal with when it's yourself, when it's a friend going through a hard time it can sometimes be just as awful. It can leave you feeling helpless, not knowing what to do to make things better- and often there is nothing you can do to make it better. All you can do is show them that you're there for them, and let them know that they're loved and cared about. Here are a few simple yet sweet gestures to cheer up a friend who's having a hard time.

Cook them a meal

If your friend has been feeling down for a while, there's a chance they won't have been eating especially well. So cooking them a delicious meal could be a lovely way to make them feel better, they get to enjoy a wholesome home cooked food but with none of the prep or hassle of doing it themselves. If you know there's a particular recipe they love then even better, a good way to find out without ruining the surprise would be to speak to their parents and ask them what they loved to eat when they were growing up. You could either invite your friend over to your place, or pack up the ingredients and go to their's and cook there. If you wanted to go a step further, how about making it a three course meal with a light starter and a tasty dessert too? You could bring some wine or a complementing drink to complete the occasion. If you're really not good at cooking or aren't sure what your friend would like, you always have the option to take them out for a meal instead. 

Bring them flowers

Flowers are always a lovely gesture, regardless of the occasion! Science has shown that flowers actually boost mood and receiving them can genuinely make you feel happy. This all links back to our ancestors- seeing flowers would have been a signal that crop we had cultivated had succeeded, and were essentially a reward of hard work. Today, we still get the same reward triggers in the brain. So if you're looking to cheer someone up, there are few nicer ways to go about it than with a beautiful bunch of flowers. You could go to a florist or the local grocery store and pick up a boquet you like the look of, or you could order online and have them sent directly from a site such as Bloom Magic which is an online flower delivery service. You also have the option of sending chocolate and prosecco too if you wish!

Spend time with them

Sometimes when you're going through a rough time, all you need to know is that you have people who care about you. And so if your friend is feeling low, the simple act of going to see them, even if it's to do nothing special could really help. Pop round to have a cup of tea or watch tv together. Perhaps you could walk their dog with them or just take a stroll in the park. Having a good chat and a laugh with someone who cares about you is sometimes just what the doctor ordered. 

Whether it's due to heartbreak, grief, stress or depression- none of us want to see a friend hurting. But while we might not be able to help their situation, these things can reassure them that they're not going through it alone.