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False happiness causes illness, says expert

17 May 2008

False happiness causes illness, says expert Smiling too much at work can be seriously damaging to health, according to new research.

The human emotions researcher who led the team of psychologists at Frankfurt University, Professor Dieter Zapf, found that putting on a false happy face led to depression, stress and a lowering of the immune system.

"Every time a person is forced to repress his true feelings, there are negative consequences for his health," he added.

Undergraduates with part-time jobs could be interested to hear the two-year study tested students working in an imaginary call centre who were subjected to abuse from clients.

According to the study, those who stood up to the clients had a rapid heartbeat for a brief period that was much shorter than those who had to remain friendly.

The professor added that flight attendants, shop assistants and carers also took part in the study that involved 4,000 people.

"We have to get away from the 'customer is king' attitude and show more respect to those working in the service industries," he concluded.

Meanwhile, the National Work Stress Network held a mindful employers conference yesterday (May 15th).

The network is campaigning for the recognition of stress-related illness as an industrial injury.

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