​We’ve all been there. We’re feeling down, having a bad day or worried about something and we try to tell a friend how we’re feeling. We’re looking for a listening ear, but instead we get cheery advice in the form of, “Don’t worry, everything will be okay,” or “You know, it could be a lot worse,” or “You’ve got to look on the bright side.” An article written by Elizabeth Bernstein which recently appeared in The Wall Street Journal, points out the prescribing this kind of advice when people are feeling badly tells that person that you’re not listening which makes matters worse. Instead, when someone wants to share their feelings with you, realize they simply want to be heard. So, listen to them—listen not to respond and give advice but listen to understand and validate their feelings. Doing so paves the way for them to solve their problem by themself. It will also make their day.