It's all in the smile

It’s amazing what a difference a smile can make. I’m sure you’ve heard this before. Well, it’s true, very true; and it can make a huge difference to the way you feel, particularly when you’re under pressure or lacking confidence. The trouble is, some people smile naturally and some don't. How about you?

It might sound daft but it’s also true that you get the same benefits when you actually force yourself to smile as you do when you smile naturally. 

Studies have proved that facial expressions linked to an emotion trigger changes in your body that are similar to those that happen when you experience the actual emotion.

So, if you’re a naturally smiley and happy person, don’t change … and if you’re not, it is worth making the effort to smile more.

But WHY? What are the real benefits of smiling?

Your mood improves

It’s a fact that the physical act of smiling improves your mood and the way you feel. Smiling actually makes you feel happier. Even a ‘fake’ smile will do this. That’s because your brain can’t tell the difference between a posed smile and a genuine smile. If you don’t believe me – try it and you’ll see what I mean.

You feel less stressed

Smiling can stop stress from increasing and can actually help to reduce it. The act of smiling starts a chain reaction; it causes your brain to stimulate your body to release endorphins and serotonin. These help to combat feelings of stress and to make you feel calmer and more in control. One obvious sign of this can be a reduction in your pulse rate. Try taking your pulse before and after smiling for a few moments and you’ll see what I mean.

Your immune system is boosted

People who smile naturally and regularly tend to be more optimistic in their approach to life. Some researchers even believe that this can lead to a stronger immune system and an ability to fight off illness better than pessimists.

Christopher Peterson, Ph.D, a University of Michigan professor who’s been studying optimism’s link to health for over two decades, firmly believes that the research is very clear. There is a link between optimistic attitudes and good health. In studies he found that optimistic people are healthier because their biological makeup is different. As a direct result, they have a more robust immune system.

You look more confident and in control

We tend not to smile when we feel uncomfortable or under pressure … people notice this and draw their own conclusions. If two people are giving a presentation and one smiles regularly but not the other, it’s more likely that you’ll perceive the smiler to be the more confident of the two. That’s a fact. So if you want to give the very best confident impression in a meeting or during a presentation, make sure you smile.

Smiling not only benefits you in these ways, but it also benefits those around you.

People instinctively react to seeing a smile by smiling themselves. Watch people interacting and you’ll see this happening. So if you want to inject some positivety into a group situation or meeting, try smiling more while you’re speaking. Feeling good is infectious, so smile more and others will catch it.

Mike