We all have bad days. We lose out on a promotion that we thought was all but guaranteed. Our car gets the windows smashed in by a burglar, and our things are stolen. When a bad day strikes, we often turn to those we know and love for emotional support. Receiving emotional support from those we love when our chips are down is one of the most effective ways to rebound our mood and get back on track. But from the perspective of the loved one tasked with offering emotional support, what is the best way to support someone who needs you?

A couple of options jump out. You can call or talk to them in person, providing social support through a conversation. Another option is to send this person a gift, such as flowers or a sweet treat. A team of social scientists ran experiments to investigate whether one of these emotional support tools, having a conversation or providing a gift, offers stronger emotional support as perceived by the person having a bad........

© Psychology Today