You have probably heard that it takes fewer muscles when smiling than when frowning, so why not smile?
Although the exact amount of muscles needed to smile or frown is not quite agreed upon, there are many reasons to smile each day. Here are some reasons to turn that frown upside down as well as some facts you might not know about this common facial expression.
Fact 1: You feel better when you smile.
Studies have shown that when a person is truly smiling, it afftects certain muscles that actually make you feel happy or joyful. You smile because you are happy and when certain muscles are hit, your brain sends even more happy signals, or endorphins.
Fact 2: Smiling is contagious.
When someone is having a bad day, pay them a compliment with a smile. The double-duty mood boosting effect will turn their day around for sure.
Fact 3: You will look more attractive to men when you are smiling, if you are a woman.
Studies have shown that men think woman who are not wearing make-up but are smiling are more attractive than those with perfect make-up who were stone-faced.
Fact 4: You will look less appealing as a man when you are smiling, if you are trying to attract a woman.
Oddly enough, the opposite is favoured by women in a study by the American Psycholigical Association who prefer a man to look “brooding.” The study only looks at inital reactions, not long-term relationship reactions.
Fact 5: It makes you sound friendly.
Smiling when you talk on the phone actually makes you sound more friendly. Somehow smiling translates into your voice to make you sound happy and engaging.
Fact 6: Those who smile live longer.
It is no secret that our emotional health is tied closely to our physical health. Since smiling means you are happy (and getting happier by the very act of smiling), you will more likely live a longer, more relaxed life than those who regularly frown. Smiling actually boosts your immune system and can help you live 7 years longer on average!
Fact 7: Newborns are able to smile.
Most people think it takes a few weeks for that first smile, which is true if you do not count the smiles in their sleep. Babies start smiling in their sleep as soon as they are born. It makes you wonder what kinds of things a newborn has to smile about.
Fact 8: You are more likely to get a promotion if you always smile.
Those who smile tend to be thought of as having more confidence and being more sociable, therefore managers view these people as having what it takes to move up in the workplace.
Fact 9: There are 19 types of smiles.
Reseachers were able to categorize 19 different types of smiles into two categories: polite, “social” smiles and those that were genuinely happy smiles. Among the list is the “embarrassed” smile, “genuine” smile and “loving” smile.
Fact 10: People tend to smile more when surrounded by people than alone.
While you may occasionally smile to yourself or laugh at something funny on the television, you are more likely to smile when you have an audience. Scientists tested this principal on ten month old babies and whether or not the audiences were responsive, they smiled much more when being surrounded by others than being alone.
Fact 11: Smiling is a universal sign of happiness.
Language may be a barrier, but facial expressions, like the smile pass through anywhere you travel.
