Do You Ever Just Pretend To Be Happy ?

Pretending to be happy is a sign that something is wrong. There are a couple of reasons you might choose to do this over revealing how you’re actually feeling.
Convenience, fear of being misunderstood, or not wanting to burden people with your negative feelings can drive you to fake happiness.
But if your state of happiness isn’t genuine, can you ‘trick’ yourself into being happy?

Why doesn't pretending to be happy make you happier?

• You’re Pretending, Not Feeling
  It is important to note the distinction between being happy and pretending to be happy. When you pretend something to yourself, you don’t really believe it. All you’re doing is putting on an outward show to appease others.
  
• Faking Happiness Can Be Harmful
  Faking happiness is more harmful than helpful. The first step to mental health and emotional contentment is to be honest about your situation.
• Acceptance Is The Key To Improved Mental Health
  Accept that it is entirely natural to feel unhappy or depressed. It’s nothing to be ashamed of! It happens to all of us at different times in our lives.
  

Signs You’re Pretending To Be Happy

• Drowning Your Problems
  This coping mechanism can lead to much bigger problems in the long run.
  
• Hiding Behind Small Talk
  Someone in your close circle asks you how you’re doing, and you immediately deflect by talking about the weather. Or you offer a polite “fine.” Sound familiar? When you do this, you’re trying to shift attention away from yourself.
  
• Glued To A Screen
  If you’re looking to distract yourself from what’s wrong, there’s a good chance you’re glued to your phone, laptop, or television. You might spend hours gaming, streaming, or on social media not to have to process your emotions.
  
• Using Humor As A Shield
  A painful topic comes up, and you immediately change the subject of the conversation or crack jokes about it. Let’s be honest – we’ve all done this occasionally. You’re attempting to hide your anxiety and discomfort when you do this.
  
• Avoiding People
  Spending time alone means you don’t need to pretend to be happy for other people if you’re feeling sad.
  

Pretending To Be Happy – How To Stop

• Get Real About Your Personal Life
  Swap the chit-chat for some real conversation! Confide in a trusted friend. Whether it’s an issue with your physical health, love life, or work stress, find someone to talk to about what’s happening in your life.
  
• Find The Help You Need
  Look after your mental health and it is alright to seek professional help.
  
• Shift Your Focus
  Finding out what makes you happy and consistently trying to operate in those spaces can be helpful. You might want to read up on our elements of happiness to get started.
  
• Practice Smiling
  Smiling doesn’t just make you look happier; it actually makes you feel better! If you’re having difficulty changing your frown into a smile, listen to happy music or watch a funny video. Surround yourself with photos of loved ones and things that make you smile.
  
• Look For Reasons To Be Happy
  Don’t look for ways to pretend to be happy – instead, look for reasons to truly be happy.
  

Final Thoughts

Faking happiness can isolate you from potential help. It can be hard to open up, but having support can make all the difference if you’re going through a tough time!
Addressing your emotions is healthy and essential for your mental and emotional well-being. Accepting your true emotions can help you to process and work through them.
It’s time to stop pretending. Remember – you deserve authentic happiness, and at the end of the day, happiness starts with you.

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