“Fake it till you make it” is an expression most people live by today. In today’s time, any person can pretend to be happy while trying to hide the tears behind it.
Although acting deceitfully or putting up a front for others is never a good idea. But at times, it does help you get through a situation. Let’s discuss how and in what situations people pretend to be happy.
Does pretending to smile make you happy?
In a new study published in Experimental Psychology, researchers discovered that smiling could improve mood even if you pretend to smile. In essence, smiling causes your face to contract, tricking your brain into believing you are happy.
According to a news statement from Fernando Marmolejo-Ramos, research author and specialist in human and artificial cognition at the University of South Australia, ‘You’re more inclined to have a good outlook on the world when your muscles tell you that you’re happy.’
The 120 volunteers for the study—55 men and 65 women—were instructed to grin while holding a pen between their teeth. It caused their facial muscles to mimic the motion of a smile.
The result of the study was that one’s facial expression changed when their facial muscles were active, producing more joyful feelings.
As stated by Marmolejo-Ramos, the amygdala, the region of the brain that permits you to feel emotions, is stimulated by the muscle movements of a smile. And this action encourages an emotionally good condition.
Additionally, according to Dr. Isha Gupta’s research, pretending to smile alone can raise the body’s levels of dopamine and serotonin.
Another study conducted in 2009 by academics at the University of Cardiff in Wales discovered that limited botox users were generally happier.
Because, in contrast to individuals who could frown, they could not do so. Nevertheless, some research shows that pretending to be happy can lengthen life and reduce blood pressure.
Consequently, action and perception are closely related. And a ‘fake it ’til you make it’ strategy might have more credit than we anticipate.
People cannot make themselves happy by smiling. They might still have a void in their heart. And sometimes, pretending to smile may not automatically make you happier or filter out the worries of your life.
However, these results are intriguing because they shed light on how the body and mind interact to shape our conscious experience of emotion.
How to fake being happy and positive?
Perhaps you fumble during a presentation or detest attending required holiday gatherings. And even though you are not happy with your job but still have to pretend to smile when your boss cracks a joke.
At times like these, a simple fake smile can do the trick. And perhaps all you need is a little bit of a fake positive attitude to get you through until it’s over. There are a few tips and tricks that can help in these difficult times.
Smiling, by far, is the simplest method to appear and act happy. Try grinning not just with your lips but with your entire face. You’ll notice a difference in your cheeks and eyes when you grin broadly. Positive feelings are linked to this particular smile.
Being open is crucial to looking joyful because your body language might reveal if you’re unhappy or upset. Avoid arching your back or gazing down while sitting or standing. Keep your shoulders back and together, sit or stand tall, and hold your head high.
By relaxing, you can feel more at peace and reduce any anxiety you may be experiencing. If you find yourself in a scenario where you have to fake a grin, try to calm yourself for a bit.
If you avoid looking people in the eye, they might assume something is wrong. Maintaining eye contact is crucial for maintaining conversations and conveying appeal and interest.
Try to grin and project interest, engagement, and happiness when you make eye contact.
For some people, laughing is the most acceptable treatment, whether it’s your favorite comedy program or a humorous YouTube video. Think of a humorous or enjoyable memory that you can recall that made you chuckle.
Feelings can be influenced by music. Try listening to upbeat music if you want to look or feel happier. Switch from depressing music to something lively if you want to appear joyful
Do your best to project a good attitude to others in the hope that you will persuade yourself to feel the same way. It might not always be simple, and you certainly might not always feel cheerful, but try to do so.
What is it called when you pretend to be happy?
Nowadays, faking a smile can be a piece of cake. Many people commit suicide because they can’t deal with the misery and hopelessness. And the sad reality is that their families have no idea about it because the person has been fake smiling all this time.
This disorder is called smiling depression. Despite not having a formal diagnosis, “smiling depression” is a severe issue for many people.
Because most people connect depression with someone who appears highly depressed or constantly cries, this type of depression typically goes unreported.
The World Health Organization (WHO) states that nearly 265 million people worldwide suffer from depression. Many of the typical symptoms of depression, such as extreme sadness, low self-esteem, and changes in daily life, may be present in people with smiling depression.
People with smiling sadness frequently put a lot of effort into masking their feelings. Because of this, it is crucial to watch out for other, less visible indications of something wrong, such as alterations in their routines, exhaustion, and a loss of interest in enjoyable activities.
If you think someone you know is experiencing smiling depression, let them know you’re concerned. Make mental health issues commonplace and discuss how to get treatment with them.
It is essential to be informed that support is available and hope for rehabilitation if you or a loved one is experiencing depression but hiding it from others.
You might not feel that way on the inside if you fake a grin, a chuckle, or a pleasant attitude. Remember, nevertheless, that whatever you are going through is only a temporary phase and that true happiness is just around the corner.
One cannot always be cheerful, and occasionally one may have to pretend to be happy to win over those around him. But who knows, maybe simply pretending might make someone feel better.
Politigory provides in-depth reviews of science, history, humanities, religion, social sciences and arts 
