The Verywell Mind Podcast Fake a Smile to Have a Better Day By Amy Morin, LCSW Amy Morin, LCSW Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist and international bestselling author. Her books, including "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her TEDx talk, "The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong," is one of the most viewed talks of all time. Learn about our editorial process Published on January 28, 2022 Print Verywell / Julie Bang Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Friday Fix: Episode 139 More About the Podcast On The Verywell Mind Podcast, Amy Morin, LCSW, shares the “Friday Fix”—a short episode featuring a quick, actionable tip or exercise to help you manage a specific mental health issue or concern. Subscribe Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts Friday Fix: Episode 139 It’s true that happy people smile. But it may also be true that people feel happy because they smile. Faking a smile might boost your mood, reduce your stress, and help you bounce back from challenges fast. But, you may have also heard about the dangers of forcing a smile when you aren’t feeling it. After all, aren’t you repressing your emotions? There’s a difference between faking a smile for someone else’s benefit and giving yourself a smile to boost your mood. This episode will explain what research says about this. I also explain how a fake smile impacts your brain, when to try it, and what benefits you can expect. And if you aren’t able to force a smile sometimes because you’re just not feeling it, that’s OK too. This episode shares another strategy that works well for those days when you can’t seem to muster a fake smile. More About the Podcast The Verywell Mind Podcast is available across all streaming platforms. If you like the show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. Reviews and ratings are a great way to encourage other people to listen and help them prioritize their mental health too. Links and Resources Follow Amy Morin on Instagram. Check out Amy’s books on mental strength. Watch Amy’s TEDx talk, “The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong” Download the Transcript If You Liked This Episode You Might Also Like These Episodes: Friday Fix: How to Reduce Uncomfortable Emotions So You Can Think Clearly How to Face Uncomfortable Emotions with Comedian Paul Gilmartin Friday Fix: How to Get Yourself in the Best Emotional State for Different Circumstances Forcing a Smile May Improve Your Mood, Study Suggests By Amy Morin, LCSW Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist and international bestselling author. Her books, including "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her TEDx talk, "The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong," is one of the most viewed talks of all time. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit