By Erin Rebello

It’s pretty clear that we’re in an unusual situation and that nothing seems to be normal at all. What is normal? As a result, it can be easy to allow negative thoughts to creep in and control the way you think. One way to forget about everything that’s going on is to focus on the positive side, and to help others see the positive too. How can you do that? Well, listed below are several examples of how to brighten someone else’s day during this dark time.

1. Plan a fun event with your family. An easy way to brighten your family’s day is to set up a fun event that everyone can enjoy. For example, you might want to plan a family game night with all the board games in your closet. Another great idea is a dance party, with all your favourite tunes. One thing that my family did during quarantine that really made everyone happier was a family movie night. My sister and I set up a tent in our basement and the entire family spent the night watching movies and eating popcorn!
2. Treat someone. If anyone in your family is an essential worker, and has been working a lot lately, think of ways you can treat them. Chances are, they’re extremely stressed out, and have to work long and weird hours due to the recent furloughs and layoffs. You could give them a spa day to help them relax, or cook a delicious meal for them after work. Even something as simple as making them breakfast could make all the difference.
3. Cook or bake together. One thing that always makes a situation better is bonding with your family. A great way to do this is by cooking or baking a dish together. There’s no better time than the quarantine to break out your mom’s cookbook and get to work on the home recipes! Chances are that you’ll already have most (if not all) the ingredients that you need to cook/bake something.
4. Donate money or supplies. In this hectic time, a lot of hospitals are running out of crucial supplies, and are in desperate need of sterile medical supplies. Although on your own you may not be able to mass produce supplies like gowns and n95 masks, you can still do your part to help the situation. A lot of hospitals are accepting donations of hand sewn supplies. In my area, hospitals are accepting scrub bags, caps, and ear savers to give to staff to prevent the spread of infection. Hospitals are also accepting monetary donations, so if you’re a business-minded person, consider starting a fundraiser to help  a good cause!
5. Be kinder. Although some of the previously mentioned ideas require a lot of work and planning, there are a lot of little things you can to improve the lives of others. Something as simple as smiling at a stranger, or holding a door open for someone else can do a lot. Regardless of how you contribute, making an effort (no matter how small) makes all the difference!

Whatever you do to brighten the lives of others, no matter how big or small, is an act of kindness. During these difficult times, it’s important that we show our love and support for one another, and make an effort to make the world a better place.