Fake It Till You Feel It: The Brain-Body Secret to Real Happiness
Oct 21, 2025Ever notice how one smile can completely change your mood—or even your day?
There’s a powerful connection between your body and your brain, and science shows that the simple act of smiling (even when you don’t feel like it) can shift your emotional state and raise your energy. It’s not pretending—it’s retraining your brain to recognize joy.
This is where that popular saying “Fake it till you make it” takes on a deeper, more empowering meaning. It’s not about being fake—it’s about intentionally stepping into the energy you want to embody until it becomes second nature.
The Science Behind It
When you smile, your brain releases endorphins and dopamine—the same “feel-good” chemicals that lift your mood and lower stress. Even a forced smile can trick your brain into feeling happier because your body associates the act of smiling with positive emotion.
Researchers have found that when participants held a pen in their mouths (forcing their facial muscles into a smile), they rated experiences as significantly more pleasant than those with neutral expressions.¹
This is why I’ve always loved the phrase “Fake it till you make it.”
Some coaches or athletes may see it as a cop-out, but to me, it’s an invitation.
It means: try on the energy you want to feel until it becomes your reality.
Even if your smile starts off a little forced, that physical cue sends a signal to your brain that says, “I’m okay. I’m choosing joy.” And soon enough, it’s no longer fake—it’s felt.
When you pair that with movement—when you smile while you dance, stretch, or take a deep breath—you’re not pretending your way through it. You’re training your brain to associate effort with ease, motion with joy, and presence with peace.
That’s the real power of fake it till you make it.
It’s not about pretending—it’s about becoming.
Joy in Motion
Movement magnifies that energy.
Studies show that physical activity boosts serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins, creating what psychologists call an “upward spiral” of emotional well-being.²
When you move—especially when you move joyfully—your brain learns to link activity with pleasure instead of stress. That’s why smiling during exercise isn’t just cute—it’s effective!
Next time you work out or dance, experiment with this:
✨ Smile through your movement.
✨ Laugh at yourself if you miss a step.
✨ Celebrate how good it feels to move, even if it’s messy.
Your body responds to your energy—not your perfection.
The Ripple Effect
Every morning, my baby smiles at me—and instantly, my entire state changes. My heart lifts, my tone softens, my joy expands. Within seconds, her siblings pick up on that same energy, and soon the whole house is buzzing with laughter and connection.
This is the ripple effect of joy in motion.
Energy doesn’t stop with us; it spreads.
And the more intentional we are with what we radiate, the more light we bring to the world around us.
Your Challenge This Week
So this week, I challenge you to:
✨ Smile at someone for the simple reason that you appreciate them.
✨ Laugh without needing a “why.”
✨ Move your body with joy, curiosity, and gratitude.
See how your energy shifts—and how others respond.
Because joy is contagious.
And when we move with joy, we move the world.
💃 Ready for a 14-Day Boost of Movement and Mindset?
If you’re craving more energy, confidence, and consistency—especially as we head into the busy holiday season—join me for Daily Dance Blast!
It’s a 14-day journey where we combine dance, movement, and mindset in short, uplifting doses (just 5–10 minutes a day).
We’ll be journeying through it together starting November 3rd, but you can access it anytime once you join. Many of our TapFitFam members repeat it just for the fun fitness and feel-good momentum!
✨ What you’ll get:
🟣 14 easy-to-follow dance & mindset sessions
🟣 Daily doses of joy, confidence, and energy
🟣 Lifetime access to revisit anytime you need a boost
💛 Join now for just $37 and step into the joy of movement with us.
👉 Join the Daily Dance Blast: https://www.tapfitfam.com/offers/Ld5AwyoQ/checkout
Let’s head into December having a blast with our movement and leveling up our mindset!
References
¹ Strack, F., Martin, L. L., & Stepper, S. (1988). Inhibiting and facilitating conditions of the human smile: A nonobtrusive test of the facial feedback hypothesis. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 54(5), 768–777.
² Peluso, M. A. M., & Andrade, L. H. S. G. (2005). Physical activity and mental health: The association between exercise and mood. Clinics (São Paulo), 60(1), 61–70.
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