Is Your Fake Smile Hurting Your Health?

A recent article published in the New York Times sheds light on new research that suggests that a fake smile can actually have negative health effects. A fake smile is a form of “surface acting,” which can actually lead to mood deterioration and withdrawal. To put it bluntly, a fake smile causes stress. Students from the Metropolitan State College of Denver responded to the findings.

Dan Dehadrian, a junior at the Metropolitan State College summed it up best when he said, “Being fake is always bad for your health.”

Many have never given the topic of fake smiles much thought. “I have gave [sic] a fake smile before. I felt fine about that,” said Michael Harrison Gesner, a student at the Metropolitan State College.

Fake Smiles at Work

There is a difference between giving a fake smile just to be nice, such as when one is commuting on public transportation, and giving a fake smile as part of one’s occupation. A fake smile is more likely to occur "if [someone] is working retail,” said John Dwyer, student at the MSCD.

“I can tell when someone is giving me a fake smile,” said MSCD student Saige Gerwig. “It is just obvious.” Places that young people are likely to be employed, such as jobs in retail or restaurant industries which require employees to smile, can actually be considered some of the more stressful occupations.

In general, when people are working they become focused and concentrate and the resulting facial expression reflects that. When people work in customer service they are instructed to smile.  The combination of physically looking happy via smiling, while mentally feeling focused, upsets equilibrium leading to stress. “That’s what my job is all about, fake smiles and fake laughs,” says Justin Dabiri, a waiter at Old Chicago Restaurant, referring to the fact that he is more likely to get tipped if he seems friendly.  

Said Lynzie Blair, who also works at a restaurant: “There’s times I have to smile even though I don’t feel like it. But that’s just part of the job. I need to do it in order get my tips... Afterwards I feel drained.” It seems as though young people recognize that fake smiling can lead to stress, especially in the work place. Many simply accept it, since any job has occupational hazards and there is a need to earn income.

Fake Smiling leads to Stress

The conclusion of the New York Times article is that, “An inauthentic smile to hide unhappiness can further worsen your mood.” This fits with dictionary.com’s definition of stress which is “the state of bodily or mental tension resulting from factors that tend to alter an existent equilibrium.” A fake smile does not reflect the emotions one feels on the inside, upsetting the balance between the body and the mind.

So next time  you walk into your local Wal-mart store remember to be kind to the Greeter. They know that you are aware that they are giving you a fake smile, and it stresses them out.