There are various reasons to act sad. Maybe you want to be left alone, want to have time to reflect, or even just try to get attention. Whatever the motivation, the combination of physical cues and social cues can make people think you're sad.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Showing Physical Signs of Sadness
Step 1. Bend forward
Snuggled and bowed postures are common signs of sadness. To convey grief with your body, you can try:
- Bend your shoulders forward
- Bend the torso down
- Sit with your torso bent towards your knees
Step 2. Point the blank gaze wherever you want
Empty or gloomy expressions are usually interpreted as a sign of sadness or daydreaming. Then, if you look down, people will think that you are sad.
Step 3. Lower or close the eyelids
There are many facial expressions that show sadness, including heavy, drooping, or closed eyelids. If you want to pretend you're sad with this method, it's best to combine it with other physical signs because lowering the eyelids alone can be interpreted as a sign of drowsiness or a squint.
Step 4. Frown the eyebrows
Tight, tight eyebrows are a common sign that someone is thinking about something. Studies also show that these expressions are usually combined with other physical signs of sadness. This technique works very well when combined with other techniques, such as looking down.
Step 5. Frown forehead
A drooping forehead is also a sign of sadness and displeasure. However, frowning too intensely can make you look sullen or angry. Don't go overboard with this technique and make sure you combine it with other signs of sadness.
Step 6. Pinch your lips
You can also show sadness by pursed lips forward. A sullen expression shows displeasure for various reasons. When combined with other techniques, such as lowering your eyes or bowing, people will believe that you are sad.
Step 7. Touch the face
Headaches are a common sign of depression or sadness. If you want to make people believe you're sad, you can fake a headache. All you have to do is touch or rub your face, especially your forehead.
Step 8. Cry
Tears are a typical reaction to feelings of sadness. If you can cry on purpose, people will easily believe that you are sad. However, a reassuring cry is difficult because most people can tell the difference between an actual or a fake expression of sadness. Try this method if you are able to cry with a real impression.
On the other hand, you can take advantage of the element of surprise. If you can cry suddenly, people will be surprised and believe that you are really sad
Part 2 of 2: Using Social Signs to Show Sadness
Step 1. Have a reason that makes you sad
Trained actors don't "pretend to be sad" because pretending is melodramatic and contrived. An actor who wants to convey his sadness convincingly will explore the reasons that make him sad. For example, if an actor wants to look sad because his grandmother died, he will focus on showing that he loves and misses his grandmother, not just shedding tears. So, if you want to look sad, try borrowing this method. For example:
- If you want to act sad to make someone realize that they hurt you, think about how their behavior hurt you and combine it with other physical signs.
- If you want to act sad so that people will leave you alone, focus your mind on what makes you really want to be alone.
Step 2. Exhale heavily
As an expression commonly interpreted as heartbreak, exhaling heavily in the presence of another person would be considered a sign of sadness. However, don't exhale too hard or too often as that will seem overwhelming.
- Try to exhale slowly when you look down, especially when you know someone else is looking at you.
- If you're the one asking, "How did it go?" lower your head and exhale before responding with “I don’t know,” or “Not good.”
Step 3. Pretend that you are not hungry
Sadness or grief is usually accompanied by a loss of appetite. If you want people to believe that you are sad, try not to eat as much when you are with them. You can also say “I'm not hungry today,” and just shove the food listlessly.
Step 4. Say that you are tired and weak
Sadness or depression can make people feel tired or powerless. If you keep telling them that you are tired or have no energy, they will probably believe that you are sad. Try saying:
- "I don't know what went wrong. I'm so weak today."
- "I don't feel like getting out of bed today."
- "I just want to curl up in the blankets and go back to sleep."
Step 5. Pretend you've lost interest in everything
When a person is not interested in activities or other things that he or she normally enjoys, it could be a sign of sadness. If you want to convince others that you're sad, pretend you don't care about some things anymore. For example:
- If you and your friends always go to the movies on the weekends, tell them you're not in the mood to go this week.
- If someone shows you something they think you'll find funny or interesting, like a cat video, pretend you don't care.
- If everyone knows that you're a big fan of sports, video games, music, or anything else, announce that you're no longer interested in those things.
Step 6. Act as if your mind is out of focus
People who are sad or depressed usually have difficulty concentrating. To act sad, show that you are daydreaming or forgetful.
For example, when someone approaches you to talk to them, don't look at them. When he starts talking, don't respond right away. Look the other way, and a few seconds later, look at that person and say, "What?" or “Sorry, I was daydreaming, what did you just say?”
Step 7. Spend a lot of time alone
People who are sad usually stay away from other people. If you want people to believe that you are sad, you have to stay away from them. This method is not difficult even if you can't really get away from other people. You can try:
- Walk alone behind others when going out together in a group.
- Step into another room by yourself when you're at home with your family.
- Stand in a corner alone when you have to be in the same room as someone else.
- Walk away from the others without saying anything to them.
- Does not respond when contacted by text, telephone, or other media.
