Are you feeling a little (or very) down in the dumps? If it is not a frequent situation, do not worry, everybody happens to feel sad from time to time. Pretending to be happy can be a way to put an end to the temporary condition that is afflicting you, or to prevent people from asking uncomfortable questions. It can also be a good way to start improving your mood by simply focusing on the desire to be happy rather than brooding in melancholy.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Design a Happy Face
Step 1. Smile
Smiling can cause the brain to release endorphins, which can make you feel better.
- Help yourself by thinking of something fun.
- Even just forcing a smile can make you feel better, just make sure it doesn't look like a grin!
- In some cases, in the presence of someone who wishes to see you unhappy, it will be useful to think about how your smile can upset those in front of you.
Step 2. Laugh
Look for something fun to watch online or read, preferring a short, hilarious video or excerpt. Or think of something that will make you happy, like a recently listened joke, someone who can make you laugh, or a memory you are fond of. As with a smile, a laugh can also cheer you up.
Step 3. Listen to some music to let some emotions escape
Step 4. Trust yourself and never feel inferior
Everyone is faced with personal or business problems. Initially, lying to yourself by pretending to be the happiest person on Earth might seem bizarre, but it will prove beneficial over time. A lack of self-confidence will only lead you to dangerous pathologies. Nobody wants to live a life full of suffering and problems only.
Method 2 of 3: Be Active
Step 1. Carry out your normal routine
Many feelings of unhappiness come from feeling overwhelmed with one's commitments. Just thinking about what to do is not going to help you put it into practice, so start dealing with what is bothering you right away, and you will soon begin to feel better.
Step 2. Make small gestures that can improve your feeling of well-being
Tap your pencil on the table or your fingers on the back of the chair. Daydream, lie down, or hum softly. Whatever you used to do on a positive day, do it now too.
Step 3. Do what you like
Keeping up appearances is remarkably challenging and could end up making you even more miserable. By dealing with something you love, you will create spontaneous and positive feelings. Give yourself the time and space to devote yourself to your passions more frequently, soon it will no longer be necessary to pretend to be happy!
Step 4. From time to time, try to spend time alone
Consider it a short vacation in which to discover your true self. You will become stronger and will be able to better manage your emotions and what worries you. Keeping a personal journal could be of great help to you.
Method 3 of 3: Share Your Feelings
Step 1. Try talking to someone
Sometimes it's just best to stop pretending to be happy and start letting out some anger or sadness. Talk to someone you trust. This could be a close friend or family member, or sometimes a therapist. Repressing your emotions will only cause more and more unhappiness and, in the long run, could prove bad for your health.
Step 2. Be nice to others
It will help you feel better even when things don't go your way. Reaching out to help others is a good way to distract yourself from your problems and to see how others are coping with theirs.
Step 3. Feel your worth
We all know that the sun is not the brightest star in the universe, but it remains the one who illuminates our every day as the night passes. Stick to this example to never lose confidence. Do not waste time admiring others, unless they are able by their example to show you the path to follow. At that point, commit to undertaking it yourself and becoming a role model for others.
Step 4. Evaluate the number of times you pretend to be happy by comparing it to the times you really are
You will then be able to understand how authentic the life you are living is. If you think that the imbalance is significant, interpret it as an alarm signal and realize that something is wrong, perhaps in the workplace, sentimental, family or other aspects. If so, the time has come to focus more on the source of your discomfort and take constructive actions in order to manage, reduce or eliminate it completely from your life.
Advice
- While talking to someone, just nod and keep an expression simple, there is no need to comment and risk exposing your real state of mind.
- Know that someday you won't need to pretend.
- Daydream: Immersing yourself in your personal world may be able to temporarily distract you from sadness or anger.
- Look for refreshment in a nap.
- Laugh even for no apparent reason. People will not think you are sad or down in the dumps and will find it witty bizarre.
- It's best to talk to someone and let the anger or sadness go away.
Warnings
- Try to make sure your smile doesn't look forced. People would notice immediately. Practice or avoid smiling at all.
- If possible, avoid talking or spending your time with those who are responsible for your unhappiness. Until you feel better, it may be advisable to be completely alone.
- From time to time, faking a mood other than the real one may be necessary, for example during those family get-togethers you just can't stand. Constantly pretending instead will tend to make you exhausted, and you will inevitably be led to vent your frustration or resentment in the most unthinkable situations.
- Be cautious, showing yourself happy for someone else's growing successes, when what you really feel is resentment, it can be dangerous. If the results continue to be good only for others, you could become remarkably unhappy. Don't wait any longer, let your real feelings flow out and commit to achieving your own goals.
- Repressing emotions is not healthy. It may initially appear as a sign of strength, but over time it will turn into a bad habit that is difficult to break. In fact, you will be convinced that being a martyr or a sufferer is a noble choice, but it is not so, you deserve the best! The truth is, a strong person is the one who chooses to stop pretending.
