Funny Things to Say to Cheer Up a Friend

If your friend isn't his usual self and is in need of some cheering up, while you can't take away his problems, you might just be able tickle his funny bone to get him smiling again. Laughter helps combat stress and relieves emotional issues including anxiety and fear, explains psychologist Russell Grieger, Ph.D. in his Psychology Today article, “Lighten Up and Laugh.” Laughter also triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals that promote an overall sense of well being, according to Illinois State University's Health Promotion and Wellness website. Show your friend your humorous side and tell him funny things to turn his frown upside down.

Remind your friend of a hilarious or embarrassing moment that you both shared together. If you've been friends for some time, you can probably think of several past memories to make him chuckle. Maybe you can talk about the time you pulled funny pranks on each other back when you were in high school. Or, perhaps you can remind him of the time you both volunteered to dress as reindeer for a hospital holiday party and handed out presents to the patients.

Offer your friend compliments in a comical way. Think of something about her personality or talents that you really admire and tell her why you like those traits using a funny spin. For example, if your friend is a good cook, you might remind her that no one can stay unhappy when she serves up her smiley face pancakes. Or, if you admire your friend’s laid back demeanor, you might say, “You’re as cool as a scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream.”

Hilarious movie quotes can also make your friend giggle. Recreate several movie scenes in front of him from his favorite comedy films. Maybe you can tell a few funny quotes from “Clueless,” “Easy A,“ or “Napoleon Dynamite.” Use the movie character’s gestures and tone of voice or accent to make the quotes believable. Even if you aren't the best at recreating the movie character, your friend can appreciate your effort and laugh at how silly you look.

Although your friend may feel down, you can remind him in a funny way that things aren't as bad as they could be. Simply find the positive in the negative. For example, if your friend is upset about getting kicked off the school’s basketball team, you could remind him that now you'll have more time to do other things -- and he won't to deal with that awful locker room odor anymore. Or, if his girlfriend broke up with him, you might say something like, “Who really wants to be with someone who laughs like a hyena anyway?”