Smiling too much at work is bad for you
Smiling too much at work is bad for you
Pretending to smile can be bad for your health, a leading psychologist has warned.

Office workers wanting to get on, shop assistants trying to sell and call centre workers ordered to be friendly all suffer higher stress levels if they regularly have to put on a grin picked by AutumnLotus 3 months ago
tags smiling smile grin stress
461
 quote edit #1 
  comments (11)  share edit history (1)
< 1 >
24
 gammerus
3 months ago
So this doesn't include us naturally chipper folk?
115
quote #2
9
 kidsized...
3 months ago
« gammerus : So this doesn't include us naturally chipper folk?
It may stress those around you, especially those with low coffee levels.
128
quote #3
28
 eLJay
3 months ago
When I worked at the Jelly Belly Factory, there was a gal who always greeted us with a smile and she would say--according to the day of the week-- "Happy ______day!"

It would be nice to be able to "answer back" as the article says. But the truth is, unless you are a supervisor you can't. The peons of the world have to grin and bear it.
91
quote #4
22
 larknet
3 months ago
I try my best to be as cheerful and upbeat as possible, especially at work. Some days it is easier and some days it is a chore. I have a student who is the complete opposite of the "smiler". He is the most pessimistic person I have ever met. The days he is in the lab I can almost see the lights dim when he approaches. It is a chore to try and get him motivated and change his negative behavior into something more positive.
93
quote #5
About Plime
Plime is an editable wiki community where users can add and edit weird and interesting links. Users earn karma when other users vote on their actions. The more karma you have, the more power you have at Plime.
11
 Haven
3 months ago
Odd that you should find this today. I figured this out for myself recently, and was planning to start looking for new employment soon. Wish me luck.
140
quote #6
28
 eLJay
3 months ago
« Haven : Odd that you should find this today. I figured this out for myself recently, and was planning to start looking for new employment soon. Wish me luck.
It is wished!
87
quote #7
22
 davbob
3 months ago
I heard this on the radio yesterday and have come to the conclusion that it's only companies which have tried to force me to be happy at work which make me feel depressed. The company I work for now we have taken it upon ouselves to have as much fun as we can and to be positive and cheerful.

It works I actually enjoy my job and look forward to going to work in the morning.

For years I have looked upon motivational seminars etc as the biggest pile of BS but again that ios because we were being told how to behave rather than making it a self made descision.
74
quote #8
9
 kidsized...
3 months ago
« davbob :
For years I have looked upon motivational seminars etc as the biggest pile of BS but again that ios because we were being told how to behave rather than making it a self made descision.
I still hate them to this day, somehow they always have a "fun activity for team building" that ends up with a lot of people in close proximity. Inevitably I always end up next to the overweight lady who doesn't shower, instead she practically bathes in cheap perfume.
117
quote #9
12
 arsphidi...
3 months ago
I just emailed the article to my supervisor. We work in public service, for the city government.
78
quote #10
11
 ieldanth
3 months ago
« Haven : Odd that you should find this today. I figured this out for myself recently, and was planning to start looking for new employment soon. Wish me luck.
Does it matter what kind of luck you are wished? :D

j/k

Motivational seminars, activities, etc won't fix the underlying problems if morale is low. There has to be a culture change that starts with management, and just blaming the employees for their own low morale isn't going to cut it. Secondly, as the above quoted poster alluded to, if you hate your job, maybe it's time to take a good look and see if you are doing what fits you.
81
quote #11
4
 nixon-le...
2 months ago
i work in a call center so i know what it is like to force happiness. i agree with the study. it's can't help pretending to be happy all the time if you really aren't.
42
quote #12
+ add a comment
< 1 >

copyright Worth1000, LLC