The Secrets Behind a Smile
7 secrets behind a smile
Smiling. It’s one of the most instinctive things we do as humans. But behind it lies complexity, nuance, honesty and subtle misdirection.
Yes, a smile can show pleasure, amusement and happiness. But it can also display our bashfulness, embarrassment and insecurities. It can symbolise anything from ‘I’ve just heard the funniest story’ to ‘I’m so happy to see you.’ Or from ‘Hey, you can trust me’ to ‘I’m very attracted to you.’ A smile can say a lot of things. And if you’re still not convinced, take a look at Mona Lisa. Is it a poignant smile? A fading smile? A reluctant smile?
The long and short of it is that smiling is a window to your true personality. It’s also very good for you, on so many levels. Here’s the top seven things a smile can so for you.
1 Smiling boosts your mood
Studies have shown that smiling triggers the release of endorphins. When the smiling muscles contract, they ping a signal to the brain, flooding our brains with these happy hormones. These are natural mood boosters, lowering our heart rate so that we feel happier, calmer and more at ease. Not only that, but smiling can reduce the stress hormone, cortisol. Two for the price of one.
Smiling has an incredible effect on us, to the point that even if we’re not exactly in a jolly place, we can trick our brains into thinking we are. That’s the power of a smile.
2 Smiling is contagious
Ever been to a comedy show? There’s something about smiling and laughing as a community that is very infectious. It spreads through an audience, creating a shared experience. Or have you ever walked down a street, and a stranger has smiled at you? It’s very difficult not to smile back isn’t it? Smiles are met with smiles, but frowns are never met with frowns.
3 Smiling makes you more attractive
Who doesn’t like someone who smiles? This simple act gives out the signs that someone is a ‘radiator’, not a ‘drain’. Smiling makes you appear more approachable and trustworthy, which helps when you’re trying to make a good first impression. In fact, a smile increases people’s willingness to trust you by about 10%, according to a psychological study. This is a superpower, especially in a business meeting, or in the day-to-day work environment.
The various muscles used when we smile also lift the face. So when you beam, you actually look younger. So forget the Botox. Just crack a smile.
4 Smiling helps you look braver
Otherwise known as ‘putting on a brave face’. Smiling when you’ve hurt yourself gives out ‘reassurance signs’. Everything will be ok! Not only that, smiling releases serotonin, which is a natural painkiller.
5 Smiling can charm others
Arrghhh, you’ve been caught red-handed, stealing the last chocolate biscuit! What do you do? You give out a little smile. We all tend to smile automatically when we’re caught doing something wrong or breaking a rule. This can cause others to make an instant positive connection with others so that, perhaps, they’ll be more lenient on them. A guilty smile can do so much.
6 Smiling through embarrassment
We’ve all done it. Forgotten someone’s name in a meeting. Tripped up in front of friends. Dropped a glass in a busy place and everyone stares. Chances are you offered an embarrassed smile to ease the awkwardness. Perhaps even followed it up with a little laugh. People tend to be forgiving when you can laugh at yourself. It shows you have a healthy grasp of perspective, and can take a joke.
7 Smiling to live longer!
That’s right. Research has found that real, genuine smiling can actually be connected with longer life.1 Why? Well, no one knows yet. More research needs to be done. But the stats suggest that happiness could increase a happy, smiley person’s lifespan by years.
So there you have it. Turning that frown upside down can do so much for your mental, physical and social health. Say cheese!
Here at Be Human Collective we’re obsessed with human behaviour, and why we do what we do. To find out how we can make better human connections at work, get in touch.
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Be Human Collective.
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- Abel EL, Kruger ML. Smile intensity in photographs predicts longevity. Psychol Sci. 2010;21(4):542-544. doi:10.1177/0956797610363775