Smiling can hurt your health

We agree...and only add that venting your frustrations in private might help. A therapy session...lol and it's cost is nothing to do or will it hurt any-one elses feelings. To be tough sometimes you need to vent in private.

In every company, things can happen very fast; you could get a virus attack that crashes the system, the projects failed to be ready in time or the client/customer is displeased with you and/or the company. In a given situation, people can say some poorly chosen word to one another.
Nevertheless, you have to remember one thing; it is important to separate the case and the person. Even though the job situation is bad and you think your coworker or boss is out of line, does not mean you have to hate the same person when you go home from work.
It is healthy to be angry at someone at work, "and let out some steam" and be friends when the working day is over.

Then you have the other side of it as mention in your article, and you have right. If you keep your feelings inside, you are going to be stressed, no doubt about it.
You shouldn’t tolerate insult from anyone, regardless if you are at work or not.. But choose the word carefully, and do not be afraid of being fired telling you’re boss that he insulted you. After all he is just a normally person and can be as stressed out as you. And it’s not always people realize they have insulted someone either.

However, sometimes it is best just to neglect the situation and the insult.

As the head safety delegate, i try to talk to each and everyone very often and ask them about their job situation. To prevent bad working conditions, we try to do things together after work; like have a bowling evening, go out to eat some pizza or just go out and have some coffee and a talk.
If you know the people you work with, it is easier to have more patience during the working day so situation where people insult you does not happen very often.

To have a healthy and open environment at work gives the company happy and pleased employees.

Loved this post. Anything that encourages people to be themselves is very helpful.

Thanks to Google, I read more about this study in the London Telegraph. It seems that it was a study using a customer service scenario. People in customer service need to smile even when they would really rather give the customer a piece of their mind. They are one of the unsung heroes in our society- and we all need to remember to be pleasant to customer service- so that their smiles can be real. After all, we wouldn't want to be harmful to their health. They are not the ones responsible for the bad service- their company is- they just have to take the heat for the people responsible.

Saw a joke making the rounds on the Internet supposedly about real replies that UPS flight mechanics make to the pilot's 'gripe sheets' about possible mechanical troubles on the plane. If those are true- then UPS is one company where the mechanics do not hold back on the sarcastic responses to the pilots- and supposedly that is one of the factors that helps keep those planes so failure free.

It is healthier for the company for people to be able to express their true feelings- and much better if the ones who meet the complaints head on can do it with grace but also with humor. Humor is a great safety valve. While smiling when you would rather punch is harmful, laughing has been shown to add years to your life. Laughing is a great way to express anger in a healthy way- it's a great pressure outlet. I laugh loud, long, and hard. People under stress are always telling me how healing my laughter feels- like all is truly well with the world. I hope that is true. I do know that I look young for my age. People in customer service should be encouraged to joke about the realy bad clients in the break room- this could really be a great help.

As for me, I much prefer working in an environment where you can openly and freely express your feelings- it is much less stressful. Companies should encourage managers to allow employees to be honest and open- it cuts down on the health insurance costs and sick time.

One of the points that is important to make is that while smiling when you are angry hurts your health, smiling at other times is a big boost. A smile expresses self-confidence and a positive attitude. When you express those feelings, they become part of all your actions. That is why smiles were a hallmark of the Trump brand for years. While the recent trend is for the Trump Organization representatives to present a stern demeanor, I disagree with that decision. I think that holding back a smile when you honestly feel it, can contribute to loss of positive, self-confident thoughts- you begin to act like your image. Your biggest asset has been and will always be your incredible self-confidence and self-assurance. Bring back the smiles!

As always, your friend,
Mary Rose

I think you should stop reading surveys. You're beginning to sound like someone who believes it's possible to have a perfect world, with perfect people who live in a perfect climate 24/7 and never have a bad hair day. If there is such a place, I don't think you'll find it here on Earth. In the mean time, maybe you should go golfing. The courses are beautiful this time of year. Have fun! Lighten up!
Enjoy your family and friends. And please, don't read any surveys on your way to the golf course. It can be bad for your health.

I still love you, but you need to stop reading those negative surveys.
Is it true that people who laugh more live longer?
How could something like this be proven?
As for me, I would rather laugh more, complain less, avoid being around insulting people, and enjoy my life with a feeling of gratitude. Who cares if a survey agrees with me or not?

There's a reason why they say "Laughter is the best medicine" instead of "Smiling is the best medicine". Well, you can't take the stress out but you can always crack a joke out of it which helps more than keeping it inside.

Prince Dudley
Systems Engineer
http://birdseyesview.blogspot.com

Being insulted at work is unfortunately a great source of stress for many people. I'm not sure there is one way to handle as the situation varies and largely depends on the level of power the individuals have within the organization. There are situations where insulting remarks are a trait of people who have serious underlying programs i.e. abusers.

People who find themselves in an abusive work situation need to figure a way out. Abusers don't change and unless you are in a situation to fire the abuser. While it may seem unfair that people get away with insulting behavior, sometimes it just easier to move on down the road and find a better job.

Jessica Bond

http://jessicabond.blogspot.com/search/label/Bullies

Cheryle- I for one believe in a perfect world where everyone lives his true potential, where people care about their fellow human beings, where all sickness has been healed and poverty is irradicated. I believe with all my heart, that it can happen in a single generation, if everyone stops living for themselves and everyone starts living for the earth. Ironincally, I believe that the way to accomplish this is for everyone to develop a valid sense of self-esteem, where they see their own true worth, where they develop their own personal resources to the fullest. I have seen children born with Downs Syndrome get early intervention, finish college and teach special education. I have seen research that shows that 2/3 of autistic children who get 8 hours of therapy a day for 3 years can be mainstreamed in schools by Grade 1- and that we can know which ones will improve is 8 weeks. I have seen research that shows that high-risk children who get home visitation from a nurse or teacher in their pre-school years are less likely to need special education, less likely to spend time in jail, and more likely to own a home and go to college. I have seen research that shows that for every $1 spent on children before the age of 5, we save $5 before the age of 21. Yet- we do not do these things. I want more than anything for people to have the faith to try- and for people to develop themselves to their fullest potential- and then to take what they have and give it back. The world that I see can become a reality. I admire Donald Trump because I believe that he- more than anyone I ever met- is one person who has the confidence to become the person that God meant him to become. I believe that this is what Trump University is all about- people living up to their fullest potential.

You can say that I am a fool. I don't care what people think about me- because if I did- then I would be less of a person. Donald Trump ignores his detractors and goes ahead and does positive things for the world anyway. If everyone else did the same, the world would be the perfect place that I described. Just believe.

Mary Rose

I have run into this problem plenty of times, but I believe that most of my experience comes from the industrial and construction jobs that I work at. Sometimes all you can do in those types of situations is bite your tongue because not doing so may cost you your job. I for one do not believe in a perfect world; everyone has the choice to be their best at what they do but unfortunately most do not choose to be dedicated and productive, if they choose anything at all. For an entire generation to engage in the same path would be a wondrous event indeed. Personally I use those experiences to fuel my passion for learning and further my career as a professional business owner and investor because I cannot be happy working for anyone's dreams but my own. You cannot control someone else yelling or belittling you, all you can do is control how you react to it.

Bykski-
One of my favorite if you quotes is from William Arthur Ward. "If you can imagine it, then you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it."

I do not believe in changing people who do not want to be changed, but I do believe in doing all in my power to inspire people to change and to work for change. That is the biggest reason that I post to this blog. Every time that a child born in what seems a hopeless situation grows into a adult who is a productive member of society, that is a victory. Every time a single person who has no hope, sees a better future for themselves, that is a victory.

I heard at a free Trump University seminar that Donald Trump wants Trump University to create a million billionaires. I would prefer it, if the goal was to create a billion millionaires- then if everyone helped three people along, the world will be a better place. Some people think that this world only has another 50 years before we ruin it and a million species become extinct. I prefer to believe that we all will awaken and change the world.

When I was a child, there was a song that I loved that said, "Every drop of rain, every grain of sand, makes the mighty ocean and the pleasant land. Never let a minute lie upon the shelf for in that little minute, is all of life itself". I need to remember that but hearing that song in my head inspires me. Every person counts.

Donald Trump is a positive voice in the universe- he tells everyone who will listen to think big- to follow your dreams- to become the person that you were meant to become.

We can't change other people, only ourselves- but when you have faith in yourself and encourage others to have faith in themselves and in each other- that changes the world one grain of sand at a time.

I just found this quote from Henry David Thoreau- "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life that you have imagined." And to quote Churchill and echoed by Donald John Trump- "Never, never, never, ever give up!"

We can only live in the moment. The past is gone, the future isn't here yet. Why worry about things that have passed and can't be changed? Learn from your mistakes and guard against making more of the same. Encourage others by setting a good example with actions and kind words. Be to others what you would like them to be to you. In every relationship expect a moment of disappointment, but don't burden yourself or others by staying committed to behavior you feel is damaging emotionally or physically. Smile when you feel like smiling, and laugh when it is appropriate. Laughing AT someone is not the same as laughing WITH someone, if it causes the person to feel pain instead of pleasure.
I live my life for the purpose of eliminating misery and human suffering. I am kind to animals and respect the Earth we live on. If someone needs a helping hand , I help if I am able to. I refer people I am unable to help at the moment to people who have the knowledge and experience that will, if at all possible. I donate time, money and prayers to many organizations who help people I never met.

But I am human. I suffer, grieve, laugh, play, work on projects I enjoy, and always pray for a healthy, peaceful, happy way of life for ALL human beings. I yell when I am frustrated or angry, I hang up the telephone on some people who upset me, and walk away from troublemakers. I am not perfect and I know that no other living person is either, including the Pope. Some people have an abundance of good qualities that others admire, but as long as people can THINK, their thoughts are not always perfect. Be the BEST you can Be, and hope that others will do the same.

When I say that I believe in a perfect world, I don't mean that all the people in it are always perfect. If all people strive to embody the qualities that Cheryle just expressed, we would have the world that I dream about in a single generation. But for that to happen, I think that some people have to do more than just hope that people will change- some people have to attempt to inspire people to change. Some people have to tell the millions who are stuck in ruts and live their lives as if they can never change anything- that as long as they live and strive to become the best that they can become and help others to do the same- then that world is possible. When people are in the middle of a disaster, they strive with all their might- they hope for a better world- or they give up and die. Sometimes they die anyway. Maybe the ones that are striving are foolish for striving- but they have a better chance for survival. But people who are comfortable are often just content being comfortable and do not strive with all their heart for a better world. Donald Trump tells us to keep on striving- to keep on trying- to believe in bigger dreams. That is why I keep coming back. So if you are doing all that you can to improve yourself and help others all you can- then keep it up. If you are not- then I encourage you to get up, get involved- work on yourself and try to help others on your way the best you can. Then believe that if enough people do that and nothing more- then we can see a rapid change for the better in the world.

You may be just a drop in the ocean- but if all the drops are working together- anything is possible.

I'm smiling today and I feel great!
How about you?
Should I meet a snapping turtle on my way to the beach,
I won't try to figure out why he is called a snapping turtle.
I'll just get out of the way, and make sure he doesn't bite ME.

Unkind people are like a snapping turtle. You never know if
they will harm you unless you have been bitten.
The best thing to do is get out of their path, and continue having a sunshine day.
Have a "smiling" weekend everybody!
It can't make your health any worse than it already is,
but it might make you feel better.

Well actually when what you feel is incongruent with ur action it creates more problems for u. Never ever supress ur feelings. I think a lot of ppl are afraid to stand up and say what they feel to their bosses. HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Do you prefer to suffer? We tend to have this hugeeeee misconception that if i talk back to my boss i'm being disrespectful. What most of us lack in this case is assertiveness skills that we tend to confuse with being aggressive. Many of us believe that if we are being treated badly that we have to be aggressive in order to satisfy our needs. WAKE UP CALL. Being assertive and being aggressive are some what similar but different in the "HOW IT IS DONE". Don't continue to smile at things u don't like or don't approve of, always speak ur mind IN A RESPECTFUL MANNER. DONT SMILE UNLESS IT IS A REALLLLLL SMILE. DON'T PRETEND AS IF U ACCEPT IT. You just might be digging a deeper hole for you and the company that you work at. We always hear the harder u fall the more difficult it is to get up. Don't pretend to like something and u dont, dont pretend to be something that u are not... u will end up losing the essence of who u really are YES...the real u fades away, and it will be such a task in finding yourself.

SMILE ONLY WHEN U MEAN IT.

I WAS ALWAYS TAUGHT THAT FEELING AND ACTIONS GO TOGETHER OR ELSE I MIGHT HAVE A PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEM OR JUST MIGHT BE CRAZY LOL HMMMMMMMPPPHHH ... AND I'M SMILING RIGHT NOW :)

Try not to hear the voice but instead listen to their words... most people yell when they do not feel heard and they are the easiest to deal with simply by saying "no problem, I hear what you are saying and it is being taken care of as we speak". The other "Grumpy" complainers~ I usally tell them "when you can treat me with respect I will listen to you" and I will hang up the phone or walk away. The beauty of working for yourself is that you do not HAVE to deal with these people~ the world has a billion+ people in it... treat yourself with respect and the customers do follow. Plus, it helps if the boss stands behind the employee. I was very tired of watching returns in a retail store I worked in and seeing the customer service reps get screemed at and go home so unhappy just because someone had buyers remorse or broke their own product cause they did something wrong and now it becomes the stores problem because we allow complainers to get away with this behaviour. WHY?!?

Smile and be Happy!

Brightest Blessings,
Sabrina Oxford

No Regrets...

But I can say that I should have sought out this website long before I allowed my employment of seven years to end with M* here in Lakeland, FL.

How does the saying go..., "If I could go back in time knowing what I know now, I'd do so many things different", resonates in my mind almost daily. As well as that other saying,... "Hind site is 20/20", which I'm sure rings true for quite a few people at some time in their lives.

To look at your topic from another point of view, I allowed my "smiling under pressure" to take the form of "jumping on the complaining bandwagon" when it came to handling unfair or what I thought were unwise practices in the workplace. I allowed myself to be taken down what could at best be compared to a whitewater rapid of moaning and groaning about management and office politics instead of offering up ideas and solutions that could possibly improve certain situations. Although I must admit that often times management was under just as much pressure as their subordinates; their hands were tied.

So to walk around the office with the smiling facade in order to placate a powder keg of misdirected anger and not stir the dust was often times the lay of the land. What I should have done and what I would recommend to anyone in the same situation is to concentrate more on the bigger picture; getting the job done. Not to preach; but work as if you're working for the Lord. If you knew He was looking over your shoulder on occasion; would you do what you usually do? would you say what you usually say? Or would you find ways to make the overall working environment better for everyone, to the best of your ability without neglecting your own responsibilities and duties.

Someday I'd love to be debt free, financially stable and run a personal business (...yes, I have ideas that deal with the problem of unnecessary welfare recipients and tie in the barter system). This would enable me to have others working alongside me where we'd make a positive difference not only in the economy but also a positive difference in the lives of others. And I truly believe that to "pay-it-forward" so to speak is a way to make those positive differences and changes. I'm actually in a situation right now where I could use a helping hand and not a hand-out so I can perhaps realize my own potential and then go on to help someone else in my same situation.

Bottom line, if more people could do what truly makes them happy, perhaps then there'd be more heartfelt and true smiling in the workplace and our health would improve.

When I was serving in the U.S. Navy I always used a tactic that works at any level. Whenever someone, regardless of their rank, male or female, insulted me or the job I was doing I waited until they were alone, pulled them to the side and instead of smiling I "bared my fangs" and asked them not to do it again. We in the Navy called it, "Praise in public, reprimand in private."

Now as a retiree and back in civilian life, I still use the tactic. Employers should realize that it's not wise to tick off their front line workers, and the front line workers who are insulted or slighted should never keep painful or hurtful remarks inside, where they do more harm than good.

I smile when things are going well and I have good people around me, but when someone insults me or a friend, I'll bear my fangs to give the offending party a warning. That's my version of sensitivity training.

I don't see how smiling back at an insulting remark or caustic situation can stress me out ( and I've had my share) when, while smiling, I know that my thoughts of "what a SCHMUCK " are not evident to a single soul. They actually think I like them and I'm not crossing boundaries by telling them how to live their life!

Cheryle, you should stop leaving comments telling people not to read surveys and that the world can't be any more perfect than it already is. Not all surveys are worth reading, ok. But maybe you don't understand that it is through studies and the science behind them that our lives and world have been improved to the extent that they have so far. While some of our solutions have created additional problems, now is not the time to stop. Science, in it's never ending march to perfection of truth, must plod on. It is people reading these studies, surveys, charts and graphs and then discussing them that disseminate this information to the public, sort out the wheat from the chaff and very gradually do make the world a better place. Please, if you are going to be the chaff, just go and enjoy your beach.