When was the last time you smiled at a stranger? Chances are, they smiled right back at you. This simple act of kindness, the power of a smile, can profoundly affect our emotions. It not only makes us feel good, but it also empowers us in ways we might not realize.
Have you heard about the Duchenne smile? The Duchenne smile is a genuine smile that reaches up to our eyes, and wrinkles them up with crow’s feet during our moments of pure happiness. It was identified in 1862 by a French anatomist named Guillaume Duchenne. A Duchenne smile is a sign of true enjoyment, but many variables influence our smiles. The variable I find most shocking that influences our smiles is our age. Children smile way more than adults. Some studies report that adults only smile 15-20 times a day, whereas children smile more than 400 times daily! That is a huge difference, don’t you think?
Like many of us, I rarely stop to think about how often I smile. Could it be that, as adults, we only smile 15- 20 times a day? That’s not enough! We all deserve more joy in our lives, and smiling is a simple way to bring that joy to ourselves and those around us. So, let’s try it. Can you recall a memory that makes you smile? Are you picturing your children’s smiling faces? Has your dog done something to make you smile already today? Whatever your thoughts are, I hope they brought you a moment of happiness and put a smile on your face. (Thank you for playing along, you are a good sport.)
Did you know that smiling can change the way we actually feel? When we smile, we activate the parts of our brain that control our emotional responses. Our smiles can be the source of our joy! And here’s the best part – smiling is contagious! When we smile at each other, we’re not just sharing a moment; we’re forging a bond. It’s a simple yet powerful way to connect with others.
Smiling also shapes how other people perceive us. When we genuinely smile, our faces light up! People are attracted to people who smile! We trust them more, and we believe they are more sincere and generous. Plus, all that smiling rubs off on us and somehow makes us feel happier as well, and who wouldn’t want that?!
Our facial expressions are our unique way of sending our message out to the world. I would like to believe that my face sends a happy, friendly message most of the time, but I certainly have days when I am not my “happy-go-lucky self,” and I know it is apparent on my face. What about you? What message does your face usually send out to the world? A smile goes a long way, you know.
It’s true that no face is the same, but our thoughts certainly do manifest the expressions on our faces. As the years go by, our habitual thoughts become engrained on our faces. Ever look at an older adult who clearly looks miserable, and then see an other older adult whose face still exudes happiness – even after all those decades of ups and downs on this planet? Which will you be? I know I want to be that little old lady still smiling and happy. Sometimes, we see someone, and instinctively know that they are clearly not happy. It is written all over their face. Nine times out of 10, when we smile at them, their whole demeanor will change, and they manage to smile back. Yes! We made someone smile! Then there is that person we will smile at, and they will purposefully turn away and not smile back, and somehow, we feel a little disappointed. Those are the people my heart breaks for. I can’t help but wonder what life has thrown them that they couldn’t muster a smile even for a moment. I always hope they will be smiling again tomorrow!
So, can we learn to smile more? Yes, we can! It’s a simple practice that starts with mindfulness. Research shows that people who smile more live longer and are happier, so why not give it a try?
Keep smiling at strangers, think of the people and places you love more often, and consider putting up a playful sign in your home. We all have smiles, and they’re free! The more we smile, the more automatic it becomes. Remember, the benefits of smiling are numerous – it’s good for your health, it’s contagious, it can even make you more attractive, and it makes the world a happier place. When we are mindful of our smiles and share them, we can elevate our lives and the lives of others. Keep smiling, because it matters!
