While it’s often applied to business or overall self-confidence, it can also apply tohappiness.
Forcing a smile, acting extroverted, and repeating positive mantras can shift your internal experiences for the better.
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You may have even heard of research that backs up both positions.
So, which is it?
This can keep you from getting social support that could make you feel better.
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One study asked subjects to fake smiles and measured how they felt after a few minutes of this.
Results showed a boost in positive feelings as a result of the smiling.
In these cases, the fake smiles tended to lead to real ones.
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Researchers believe that this is because the mind and the body communicate.
Psychologically, we infer our attitudes by watching our actions as an observer would.
That means that you might intensify an emotion by physically expressing it.
Researchers have also found that standing up straighter can actually make you feel more confident.
The important thing to remember is that real smiles are preferable, even though both types can bring benefits.
Aside from the emotional andhealth benefits of smiling,there are also stress management benefits.
One of the most significant is that when you wear a positive expression, it can be contagious.
Smile, and the worldsmilesback at you, as the saying goes.
The Verdict: Fake itbut only under certain conditions!
And if it’s possible for you to make yourselffeellike smiling, that’s the best route!
Fake an Affirmation?
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Positive affirmations are widely recommended in some self-help circles.
But do they work?
Research has actually shown that positive affirmations can actually backfire in certain situations.
The wrong affirmations really can do more harm than good.
Butpositive affirmations that align with how you really thinkcan have a powerfully positive effect.
This means the affirmation would create stress without creating positive change.
A better option would be:I am beautiful enough, orI am beautiful inside and out.
Here are more examples.
Unrealistic:I am at complete and total inner peace.
More realistic:I am working toward feeling at peace, orI am becoming more peaceful.
Unrealistic:I am strong and nothing hurts me.
More realistic:I am getting stronger and can weather this challenge, orI will overcome these obstacles.
Unrealistic:My life is perfect in every way as it is.
More realistic:My life is becoming better,orI am working toward a better life.
These may seem like minor distinctions, but to your subconscious mind, they are significant.
It is important to note that these are only examples.
If the affirmations labeled “unrealistic” resonate with you as true, it is fine to use them.
The Verdict: Be careful how you use them!
Affirmations that are far from what you actually believe can backfire.
Fake Being Outgoing?
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Research shows thatextrovertsare actually happier than theirintrovertedcounterparts.They’re also more successful in life.
This is distinct from pushing yourself to change your full nature.
Not only does it take effort, but they’re not sure that the reward is worth that effort.
Rest assured, if you try it, you will likely be glad you did.
This is just one effective way torelieve stress if you’re an introvert.
The Verdict: Fake it!
Behaving like an extrovert in certain social situations can help both introverts and extroverts feel happier.
If this feels too fake for you and you start to feel worse, try another positivity-boosting activity instead.
Arora S, Sharma R.Positive affect, psychotherapy, and depression.Indian J Psychiatry.
2018;13(3):e0194686.
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0194686
Davey G, Sterling C, et al.Complete Pscyhology (Second Edition).Routledge.
Mediation and moderation effects of the quality of social relationships and emotion regulation ability on happiness.PeerJ.
2015;3:e1300.
2013;104(6):1092-108. doi:10.1037/a0032281
