Posted: Mon May 26, 2008 10:32 pm Post subject: Fake Smiling... . . . . . . .
..is something I've been working on lately. A while back, I came to realize that my facial expression during anxious moments is very unattractive, half-scowl and half-grimace, and was definitely turning off most people i met. So I decided to take a friend's advice that I should try to smile more.
The problem is that I've always found it kind of awkward and difficult to just start smiling on command -- pictures have always been a problem for that reason, too. So, although it seems kind of goofy, what I've started doing is practicing smiles when I'm alone.
The weird thing about it is that even when I am smiling by myself, I suddenly feel... good!... for no particular reason. I don't know if it's a chemical release or what. But it seems like just the act of smiling brightens my day a little bit.
Later, when I talk to people -- strangers, even -- it is so much easier than usual. I feel less anxious and more assertive. And because of the practice, it seems more natural to smile at everyone I met. Overall, I became a much happier, more approachable person, both in appearance and mind.
Is it possible that the best remedy for anxiety could be SMILING? It seems too simple, doesn't it? But somehow, it works. Or at least, it has been so far. Try it!
When i smile i feel like a loser/creep... and when i smile too much (for a good reason) people have made harsh comments in the past. Like i looked almost too excited
I once read in a science magazine article or somesuch that forcing yourself to smile can make you happier. I try it sometimes, in private, usually when I find myself frowning and grimacing due to intense negative feelings (as I often do). I can't say that it helps much, though. Maybe a little.
I have also read that smiling actually does make you feel good.
I've also noticed that when I'm in a good mood, in general I tend to get better reactions from others, which makes me feel even better about myself. When I'm already nervous and anxious, people don't seem to respond very well to me. I think people - including strangers - really can sense how I'm feeling and tend to respond in a way that matches my mood. I think that I "jinx" myself when I'm feeling anxious or afraid. This doesn't happen 100% of the time (sometimes other people change my mood by the way they respond to me) but I have noticed a general pattern.
Joined: May 04, 2008 Posts: 34 Location: Taguig City, Philippines
Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 5:40 am Post subject:
A smile can change another person's view of life. It is good that you are practicing smiling but remember that the most powerful smile is from the heart.
I have recently had a problem at my new job with smiling. I just started at a corporate type place where i have to work with a lot of people. I am the type of person who thinks people should smile at each other so I always make my best effort. Im starting now to get the impression that I should just not smile at people because whenever I smile at somebody and they dont smile back its very hard on me. Also there were certain people that I would smile at and they would always smile back when we say each other and now often those same people do not smile anymore, this is also VERY hard for me to deal with. I cant help but think that these people have formed some sort of negative opinion of me.
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