Pleasanteeism, the pressure to appear cheerful and upbeat at work no matter what one is feeling inside, has become a growing concern in many workplaces. This constant expectation to keep a positive front often pushes employees to hide their real emotions, which can lead to mental fatigue, anxiety, and eventually burnout. Though not a new idea, the term ‘pleasanteeism’ has resurfaced as office workers once again discuss buzzwords like ‘quiet quitting,’ ‘coffee badging,’ and ‘office peacocking.’What Is Pleasanteeism And How Is It Impacting Mental Health At Work?According to Dr Chandni Tugnait, MD (A.M), Psychotherapist, Life Alchemist, Coach & Healer, and Founder & Director of Gateway of Healing, this problem has only worsened with the rise of hybrid work models. The need to look lively during video calls and the fading line between personal and professional life make it harder for employees to recover emotionally. She explains to us that activities such as “forced fun” sessions or public praise for being positive can unintentionally discourage honesty and openness. “To address pleasanteeism, companies must create a space that values honesty and supports mental wellness,” says Dr Chandni.A recent report by Lime also points to how pleasanteeism is hurting both mental health and workplace performance. This culture of putting on a “brave face” prevents people from having honest discussions about their struggles, keeping important mental health conversations out of reach.Some of the key findings from the report include:40% of employees say they feel less emotionally strong now than before the pandemic.26% admit they find it difficult to manage work demands.51% feel they must act cheerful around colleagues even when they are not.44% believe their low emotional resilience affects how well they perform at work.These figures highlight how important it is for organisations to build environments that encourage openness and emotional safety, which can benefit both well-being and productivity.How Does Pleasanteeism Affect Mental Health In The Short And Long Term?Short-term EffectsIn the short term, pretending to be happy all the time can quickly drain one’s emotional energy, leading to emotional exhaustion. This leaves people feeling mentally tired and disconnected from their personal lives. Constantly trying to regulate expressions can also heighten anxiety, as employees become anxious about revealing how they truly feel. Over time, this stress often appears in physical forms, causing headaches, muscle tightness, and disturbed sleep, all of which further affect mental health.Long-term EffectsOver a longer period, the effects deepen. Persistent emotional suppression can create an identity disconnect, where individuals lose sight of their real feelings and struggle to understand themselves. It can also cause chronic burnout, as constantly putting on a cheerful mask drains psychological energy, leading to detachment and low productivity. Relationships may begin to suffer too, since hiding emotions weakens genuine connections, leaving people feeling isolated and unsupported. Professionally, pleasanteeism can contribute to career stagnation, as the effort spent maintaining appearances takes away from learning or growing in one’s field. Finally, it may lead to unhealthy coping habits, such as overeating or turning to alcohol to manage stress, which further worsens mental well-being.
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