Induce Happiness By Faking It
As my three-year-old daughter and I move through her bedtime routine each evening, she cheerfully sings her Daniel Tiger bedtime steps song. When it's finally time for her to give in to sleep, the battle begins. She fiercely clings to wakefulness, insisting she's not tired at all. But one look at her eyes tells a different story.
I explain to her why sleep is important — it allows our brains to recharge and consolidate the day's memories. During sleep, our bodies repair muscles, regulate hormones, and strengthen the immune system.
An extraterrestrial observer would find our human sleep patterns bizarre. Why do earthlings spend one-third of each day wrapped up, unmoving, and unresponsive?
After studying our sleep cycles, these aliens would uncover the intricate biological mechanisms governing our circadian rhythms. They'd see various rituals to lure sleep — warm milk, lavender oil, teddy bears. Ultimately, they'd wonder: How does one initiate sleep?
I prepare for sleep by setting the thermostat, dimming the lights, avoiding my iPhone screen, and getting into bed. And then I fake it. I lay in bed with my eyes closed. And I fall asleep.
By pretending to be unconscious, we soon become so. This same principle applies to that other elusive human goal: happiness.
What is happiness? We intuitively recognize happiness, but achieving lasting contentment is a formidable challenge. About one in ten Americans take anti-depressant medication. Fifteen thousand self-help books are published in the U.S. each year. Dozens of therapies and cliched platitudes are employed to trigger happiness but often fall short of sustained satisfaction.
Is there a simpler path?
Like sleep, the solution may be to "prepare for it and fake it." Acting positively primes our minds to feel uplifted. A cheerful smile triggers brain chemicals that boost mood. A belly laugh releases endorphins that relieve stress. Purposeful action tricks the mind into happiness.
Our emotions and behaviors influence each other, creating a feedback loop that can sustain misery or induce happiness. Electromyography studies show that contracting the muscles used to smile triggers activity in the brain's emotional centers and produces a positive feeling. Seriously. Try it.
We have more control than we realize.
Deliberate action transforms reality. Rather than wait passively for happiness to strike, we can take action. My daughter, Natalie, has a bedtime routine. I have a happiness routine:
Limiting news consumption to avoid anxiety and pessimism
Daily meditation for peace, patience, and appreciation
Walks outside to release endorphins and reduce stress
Making time for playful activities that induce freedom and creativity
Engaging in hobbies that provide meaningful challenges
This isn't a prescriptive guide. What uplifts me may not work for you. Once you prepare with a routine — fake it. Act cheerful until you feel cheerful. Smile until you mean it. Engage fully with life. Happiness is a choice, so choose it. If you don't know where to start, try faking it first. Your future self will thank you.
