A: I force myself to smile.
B: I try to chase away the clouds by thinking of pleasant things.
C: I don’t smile all day.
American research has shown that the B response provides the most benefits.
This technique is called “deep acting”: by portraying a pleasant weekend, you try to experience positive emotions. Actors also do this to identify with a character. Those who use it in their daily lives come home from work less tired, are treated more friendly by their colleagues, and perform better.
The “surface game” (A), in which you suppress your bad mood and put on a forced smile, is ineffective. It costs energy and leads to emotional exhaustion. Showing your true feelings (C) certainly requires little energy, but it lacks nourishing contact.