The Peaceful Power of a Smile
By Jasmine Clark, Live Well Enhance You Contributing Writer
“Peace begins with a smile.”
― Mother Teresa
There’s a holiday called Smile Power Day, which is on June 15th. But why does that holiday exist? Is there actually any power in a smile? Research says yes: Smiling is beneficial for you and others. Read on to find out why.
Why smiles have power
Smiles really are powerful. Did you know you've been smiling since before you were born? Babies smile in the womb with something known as a “reflex smile.” That means smiling is not something anyone taught us. It’s something we do naturally.
Studies show that smiling is more than what our faces do when we're happy. It's a communication tool. We have a natural instinct to mimic others' smiles when we see someone else smile (especially when we see children smile). We smile at strangers to be polite and come across as warm. And people are more likely to trust people who smile.
Interestingly, even forced smiles can be powerful. Smiling sends signals to your brain that cause you to feel a little happier. Even if you’re not happy, putting on a smile will still send those signals to your brain, which is useful in the middle of a bad day. Plus, when you’re talking on the phone, smiling (even a forced smile) can be heard by the other person. That’s right, people can hear you smile without seeing your face.
Smiling is one of those things everyone is familiar with, but few people know its power. That’s why it’s good to make yourself and others smile more often.
How to make yourself smile
Smile in the mirror - Practice smiling in the mirror when you’re alone, making cute, funny faces and poses. It seems like a silly thing to do, but it’s a weird trick that actually does boost your mood a little bit thanks to your brain’s tendency to make you happier when it knows you’re smiling.
Watch a funny movie or sitcom - You’re very likely to smile when you watch funny entertainment. The best thing you can do is watch something you’ve seen before, but a long time ago. That way you already know it’s something you like, but because it’s been a long time, it’s still interesting to rewatch now.
Remind yourself of happy memories - Just thinking about happy memories can make you smile, but it’s even better to find old photos, keepsakes, and souvenirs. You’ll probably find something you forgot you had, triggering an unexpected pleasant memory that’ll make you smile.
Watch cute videos – Watching videos of cute kids or animals is a pretty much failproof way to make yourself smile. There are even “Try Not To Aww Challenge” videos on YouTube meant for this very purpose.
How to make others smile
Send a smile their way - The easiest way to make others smile is to smile at them! It may activate their natural instinct to smile back.
Tell a joke - The cheesier the better. If you’re stuck on ideas, search the internet for jokes. Bonus points if you tell the joke with a silly, exaggerated tone of voice.
Give a compliment - A thoughtful compliment can go a long way to make someone smile. Your compliment may be the only kind words that person heard that day… or in a long time.
Hug them - If they’re the type of person who likes hugs, hugging is one of the best ways to make them smile, especially if they’re going through a difficult time (which they may not have revealed to anyone).
Do them a favor - Going out of your way to help someone, such as bringing them something they need or helping them clean something, will let them know you care about them. There’s a good chance they’ll smile because of your kindness.
These simple ways to make yourself and others smile may seem small, but they add up to a lot of positivity. So as it turns out, the world really does smile with you.
“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.”
― Thích Nhất Hạnh
Jasmine Clark is a freelance writer from North Carolina. She enjoys writing about topics such as stress relief and positive thinking. She likes to encourage others to find ways to calm down and relax. In her spare time, she loves to write fiction stories and watch TV and YouTube. You can find her on Instagram @cozysachi.