Ways to Demonstrate Your Care for a Friend

1. Express your gratitude to your friends.
2. Inquire about their well-being and pay close attention to their answers.
3. Ask them more profound questions about their perspectives, such as their worldview.
4. Surprise them with thoughtful gifts to show you care.
5. Offer to help them with tasks to ease their burden.
6. Initiate contact whenever possible.
7. Be there for them during tough times.

• “Hey, just so you know, I’m always here for you if you need anything. I’ve got your back no matter what.”
• “I hope you realize how much you mean to me and how much I care about you.”
• “Whatever you’re going through—good or bad—I’m here for you.”

1. Show genuine interest in them if you rarely discuss their activities. “Many people want to share about their lives and feel heard,” Chronister explains. Encouraging your friend to open up and share details about themselves will make them feel valued. The next time you chat, ask more questions than usual. This demonstrates your effort to understand them better, which is a meaningful way to show you care.

   • Ask about a hobby they enjoy. People often love discussing their passions, so try questions like, “Have you played any interesting games recently?” or, “What’s something new you’ve learned lately?”
   • You can also ask about their recent activities. Questions like, “How was your weekend?” or, “What have you been up to?” are great conversation starters.

1. Inquire about their school or work life to show you care. A simple, “How are you today?” can carry a lot of weight, according to Broennimann. This is particularly meaningful if they appear to be under stress. The next time you’re together in a private setting, ask if they’re doing okay. You can even send a quick text if that’s your usual mode of communication. Even if they’re fine, your effort to check in will be appreciated. If they’re overwhelmed, listen and “let them vent,” as Chronister advises. You might say:

   • “Hey, it seems like you’ve got a lot on your plate. How are you managing?”
   • “I’ve noticed you’ve been working a lot lately. Is everything alright?”
   • “I just wanted to check in and see how you’re doing. Are you feeling okay?”

• Think of every relationship as a seesaw, with you on one end and your friend on the other. If they’re always putting in the effort, they’ll feel like you’re not contributing! Strive to maintain balance in your friendship.

• If your friend shares a struggle, avoid responding with a story about your own problems. This can make it seem like you’re only interested in talking about yourself.
• Instead, ask follow-up questions to encourage them to share more, but don’t push if they’re reluctant.
• Show you’re engaged by maintaining eye contact and adopting an attentive posture, such as leaning forward.
• Occasionally, reflect or repeat back what they’ve said to confirm you’re listening and understanding correctly.

Motivate others by practicing reflective listening. Avoid making assumptions about their needs and instead ask them directly.

1. Publicly acknowledge your appreciation to uplift them. Offering genuine support to your friend strengthens your bond. Use the platform you both frequent to like or comment on their posts. Alternatively, create a post highlighting how amazing your friend is. Make it heartfelt, humorous, or playful. Ensure the post is public and tag your friend so they see it. It might seem simple, but they’ll undoubtedly feel valued!

   • If you opt for humor, avoid anything they might find embarrassing or offensive. For example, “Shoutout to my math wizard! I’d be lost in geometry without you!” works well.
   • Include a cherished photo of the two of you. It’ll be a lovely reminder of your shared memories!

1. Show your pride and happiness to demonstrate your support. True friends stand by each other through thick and thin. Success feels even better when you know you have a team cheering you on. If they share news of a promotion, new job, or excellent grade, celebrate with them. Smile, give them a warm hug, or suggest going out to celebrate.

   • If you only show up during tough times, it might seem like you’re not genuinely invested in their happiness.

• Choose something personal rather than generic, like cash or a gift card. When presenting it, say, “I saw this and immediately thought of you.”
• If money is tight, create something handmade, like art or a heartfelt letter expressing what their friendship means to you.
• Alternatively, pick something you can enjoy together, like concert tickets, sports game seats, or a two-player video game.

1. Deepen your connection with physical gestures, like a unique handshake. Physical touch is a fundamental way to express care and offers health benefits, such as reducing stress and loneliness. You don’t need to hug them daily, but an occasional handshake or fist bump can make them feel valued.

   • Some individuals dislike physical touch. Always ask first and respect their boundaries.

1. Demonstrate their importance by marking key dates on your calendar. Many people only remember birthdays of close family, but remembering your friend’s special days shows they’re just as significant. This applies to anniversaries, holidays they cherish, and personal milestones. Note these dates in your calendar or set reminders. Before the occasion, ask:

   • “Your birthday is coming up! Any exciting plans?”
   • “Hey, are you celebrating your anniversary? Have you made any arrangements?”
   • “Are you organizing Friendsgiving again this year? I know it’s around the corner.”

1. Strengthen your bond by engaging in shared activities you both enjoy. Broennimann emphasizes that participating in “mutual interests” is a powerful way to connect. If you both love a specific game, set aside a weekly day to play together. If you’re fans of the same sports team, attend a game together. Inviting your friend to join you in a hobby is a fantastic way to show how much they mean to you.

   • Consider traveling together! A weekend road trip is a great way to create new memories.

• Classic options like cookies, cakes, and pies are always a hit.
• If they have a favorite dish, prepare it. If you’re worried about being too obvious, say, “I’ve been experimenting with new recipes, and I know you love this. Let me know what you think!”
• If cooking isn’t your strength, take them to their favorite restaurant or bring them a treat from a local café.

1. Ease their burden by offering help with tasks or chores. If you know your friend well, you might anticipate their needs without being asked. Consider what’s happening in their life and think about how you can support them. You could assist with a school project or help them move into a new apartment.

   • Taking on a task they dislike is a meaningful gesture. Imagine how grateful they’d feel if you offered to handle their least favorite chore!
   • It’s perfectly fine to simply ask, “Is there anything I can do to make things easier for you?”
   • Reader Poll: We asked 239 Mytour readers what behavior most clearly indicates someone isn’t a true friend, and 50% said: only reaching out when they need something. [Take Poll] Conversely, one of the best ways to prove your friendship is by being there when they need support.

1. Demonstrate your dedication to the friendship by following through. Breaking your word sends the message that your friend isn’t important enough for you to keep a promise, which can harm your relationship. Be the dependable friend you’d want in return. Reflect on the importance of keeping your word in these scenarios.

   • If you commit to doing something or attending an event, ensure you follow through.
   • If your friend is counting on you, don’t let them down. Take your responsibility seriously!
   • If you make a promise, honor it without fail.

1. Show your willingness to grow by acknowledging your mistakes. Apologizing is a crucial way to demonstrate care. Even if you’re not entirely to blame, recognizing your imperfections shows respect for your friend. In the event of a disagreement, ask yourself what matters more: your friend or winning the argument?

   • If you don’t believe you’re in the wrong, discuss it with them and try to understand their perspective. As long as they see you’re making an effort to compromise, things should resolve positively.

• For instance, if they prepare a delicious meal, request the recipe. Or, if they’re studying an intriguing topic, like a specific historical event, ask them to explain it to you.

1. Support their growth by being honest and caring. True friends help each other improve. If you notice a friend making a mistake, address it kindly but firmly. Show understanding and forgiveness, as it demonstrates your desire for their personal growth, even when they’re not at their best.

   • Be diplomatic and use good judgment. Sometimes, it may not be your place to intervene.
   • For example, say, “Let’s let these people go ahead; they have young children,” or, “I think you might need to apologize. What you said wasn’t very kind.”

1. Invite their friends to join activities to show you value their broader social circle. They likely have other important people in their life besides you. While it’s important not to be intrusive, showing interest in their wider social connections is healthy. When inviting them somewhere, let them know they can bring other friends along, making them feel more included and appreciated.

1. Strive to move past disagreements or misunderstandings. No one is perfect—neither you nor your friend. There will be moments when one of you unintentionally hurts the other. But your friendship exists for a reason! Extend the same kindness you’d hope to receive, and be willing to give them multiple chances.

   • While you shouldn’t let them take advantage of you, try to be empathetic and understanding of their challenges and struggles.

• For example, say, “Hey, when you joke about my grades, it really bothers me. Could you choose something else to tease me about?”