Smile More: Direct Way To Become Happy (FAST!)

Smile. No, like, right now. Grin. Make it wide. Show some teeth. Include those eyes. Hold it. You look great when you’re happy, y’know? Much better than when sporting a scowl, sulk, or pout. Look in the mirror. At your face. Then turn your glum mug into a warm, welcoming, wide smile. Clothes often don’t fit our bodies. Smiles? Everyone’s smile beautifies them. It even encourages us to return the gesture!

Don’t Tell Others To Smile!

As advice, it sucks. You have definitely had someone tell you to cheer up and smile. It’s not welcome—not when given in the wrong place, at the wrong time, with the wrong people. Which is when the advice is parceled out—when we’re sick, angry, tired, or just in the blues. Banal as it sounds, smiling is terrific advice. It can have positive effects on your mood, stress levels, brain health, and immune system. Squeezing out a snicker here and there may help you live longer. Doesn’t cost a penny. Earns you heaps.

The idea is paradoxical. Backwards. Happiness makes us smile, not the other way around, correct? How can the reverse be true? What’s weird is expressions and actions follow emotions. Flip it one-eighty degrees, and the statement remains accurate. This applies not only to smiles. In fact, it isn’t limited to the face, but extends to the body. Non-verbal communication is a two-way channel. The attentive of you must have noticed. In the beginning, I said “You look great when you’re happy,” not “You look great when you’re smiling.” Because you genuinely became happier. Smiling works.

Brain-Twisting Shenanigans

Put differently, you can “trick” your brain into states via non-verbal signaling. In theory, you can do this for any emotion. Smiles are just prime examples—and positive, well-researched examples. A few seconds and you spur a chemical reaction in your brain. Dopamine and serotonin are rapidly secreted. Dopamine does the motivation, happiness, and pleasure part. Serotonin plays calming chords to our stressed out minds, lowering our chances of depression and aggression. But that’s not all.

To extend the benefits, psychoneuroimmunology studies (brain and immune system relationship) reveal that negative affect weakens and positive affect strengthens the immune system. In other words, the better your mood, the more robust your immune. Happiness reinforces your body’s army with troops—happiness which can be attained through the physical act of smiling! What’s funny is botulinum neurotoxin (Botox) research. Botox temporarily paralyzes muscles. Well, those who get injections that keep them from frowning are… You guessed it. Happier. Science is bizarre.

Smiling Is An Infectious Disease

Frankly, I could scratch your brain with studies eternally. Some point to reduced stress levels and lower heart rate. Others link smiling to lower blood pressure. Still others suggest a longer lifespan. By now, you grasp that external expressions have a significant impact on internal states—and vice versa. Unsure? Force a wide one. Ear to ear. Keep at it for a minute or so. You’ll feel the hormonal cascade, if only briefly. What’s better than a hands-on experience?

But don’t forget: your expressions don’t only affect you. Non-verbal signaling is transmissible. The brain has a set of neurons called the mirror neurons. They fire whenever you see someone act a certain way. The neuron “mirrors” their behavior. You’ve had this happen. Someone is eating, drinking, yawning, or smoking, and you get the urge to eat, drink, yawn, or smoke. Thanks to these babies, your smiles—and frowns, scowls, and pouts—are contagious. So are the expressions of others. Chances are, if you hang out with a group that’s glum or angry, you sooner or later become glum or angry. Choose your company wisely.

All Areas Of Life Affected

Not only that, we mirror expressions because of the feelings behind them. Smiles are universal. You and I could speak any language and be from opposite corners of the world. The vibes radiate regardless. Babies know this. They are masters of human relations and psychology. Right after they leave the oven they comprehend endless persuasion principles. They cry and yell, and we listen. They reach and frown, and we provide. They smile and hide, and we know they’re feeling a warm embarrassment inside. Globally, there is nothing that makes a tough man soften his scowl faster than a baby.

Fun fact: babies actually smile in the womb and are born smiling!

Thought we’re done? Nu-uh. Smiling can have effects on your attraction. Keep in mind, we have distinct tastes. Take it with a grain of salt. Literature on sexual attractiveness of individuals based on expressions—happiness, pride, and shame—shows definitive results. For men, happiness—demonstrated by smiling women—was the most attractive. Weirdly, for women, happiness was the least attractive. Still, I believe sacrificing beauty points for lower risk of early death, cancer rates, stress levels, anxiety, depression, blood pressure, pain perception, and a longer and more enjoyable life is worth it.

Believe Me Already, God Damnit!

In layman’s terms, the boring sentiments you’ve heard thousands of times were true. A smile does light up the room. The physical act relaxes you and strengthens the immune system. We are naturally drawn to positive expressions, rather than frowns, scowls, and grimaces. The muscles also lift up your face, making you appear younger. No surgery! Smiles give off a subtle atmosphere of confidence. This heightens your chance of a promotion in the workplace and makes your team eager to listen if you are in a leadership position. Smiling isn’t win-win. It’s win, win, win, win…

Final Thoughts

The importance of smiling cannot be understated. Essential for social interaction. Has profound effects—positive effects—on your mental and physical health. Boosts the immune system. Makes you live longer. Bolsters your cardiovascular, neurological, and psychological health. Augments your chances of success. And countless others. Isn’t it clear? Smile, compadre! Do it more often! In the mirror to yourself, in conversation to others, and in times of loom and gloom! “Before you put on a frown,” said Jim Beggs, “make absolutely sure there are no smiles available.”