Is Your Smile A Secret Super Power?
There is more behind your smile than meets the eye
“A smile is the shortest distance between two people,” Victor Borge
KEY POINTS
- Smiling does not communicate the same message in all cultures
- There are significant mental and physical benefits to a smile
- Nonverbal communication by smiling is an icebreaker
- How a simple facial expression can change your life
Have you ever wondered if it’s always a good idea to smile? Or, are there any disadvantages to smiling?
Smiling is one of the most natural things we do, but it’s also something that we don’t do often enough. Children smile as often as 400 times per day. As adults, this reduces to 20 to 25 times a day.
To smile or not to smile?
What Does Your Smile Mean in Different Cultures?
China
The Chinese do not smile at strangers.
Consciously or otherwise, they see the world in terms of two groups: their own circle of relationships on one side and everyone else on the other. The Chinese culture has a much more vital distinction than most western cultures between “In” versus “Out” groups.
Smiling in public can be seen as disrespectful to those around you because it is usually reserved for family and friends.
Russia
There is a saying in Russia. “Only fools smile without any reason”
Russians only smile to express a good mood or personal regard for an acquaintance. Greeting a stranger with a smile is seen as insincere, foolish, or, at worst, sneaky and manipulative. Even in candid family photos, adults appear with stony, scowling faces.
It’s also a sign of submissiveness, especially if the person you’re talking to has more power. Russians typically smile toward people who they are close to, affectionate with or someone they admire.
A Russian smile can express high levels of happiness, just not on the streets.
Japan
In Japan, a smile is not only a sign of happiness. They use a smile as a greeting, but it can also signify respect toward others and the people around you. Japanese tend to focus attention on the eyes rather than the mouth when expressing emotions or reading them in others.
It’s thought the eyes may be better at portraying genuine emotion than the mouth. This makes it easier for the Japanese to determine if a smile is genuine or fake.
So, what exactly are the benefits of smiling?
“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.” — Thich Nhat Hanh
Smiling is number 2 on the list of the 43 Habits of Absolutely Happy People!
Smiling improves your lifespan
Did you know your smile can predict how long you’ll live?
In his famous TED Talk, “The Hidden Power of Smiling,” Ron Gutman explains how your simple smile affects your well-being. He talks about how it will increase your lifespan, improve your mood, reduce your blood pressure, and the subliminal power behind a smile. The talk has reached over six million views. Well worth a look.
And in a 2010 study by American scientists at Wayne State University, from a team of 1950s baseball players’ cards, they discovered that those who had smiled in their picture lived longer. The beaming smilers lived an average of nearly 80 years. Players who didn’t smile averaged 72.9 years.
A Smile Enhances Relationships
A thought… What do you feel when a loved one looks you in the eye and smiles?
Dr. Lynden Miles from UWA’s School of Psychological Sciences researched the science behind a smile. He acknowledged that, although a smile can disguise feelings, we recognize smiles as expressions of joy and happiness. “When we see someone smiling, it can put us at ease and often leads to increased liking and trusting of that person.”
Every new relationship should start with a smile. It’s an easy way to make a good first impression, break barriers and give a positive feeling to the person you’re talking to.
Hint, hint. Remember this on your next first date! 😉
Smiling is a mood changer
“The expression one wears on one’s face is far more important than the clothes one wears on one’s back.” Dale Carnegie
Your grin can also change how you think and feel. Jaime Pfeffer, a success coach and meditation instructor, says,” My husband and I spend 60 seconds every morning smiling to supercharge our mood. It’s part of our morning routine.” It then takes only 10 to 15 seconds to make a difference for me. The ritual transforms my mood quickly and puts things in a different perspective. She also recommends it to her clients to use as a daily mood refresher.
Boosts your immune system
Smiling tricks your brain into believing you’re happy, which then ignites your happy hormones. Dopamine goes to work, activating the immune system. This increases the production of antibodies and other illness-killing cells. Dr. Murray Grossan says that whilst depression weakens your immune system, happiness has proven to boost your body’s resistance.
It’s another way of communicating
Your smile is the most universally recognized nonverbal signal. It has enormous power to diffuse tense situations, raise your teamwork level, and communicate friendliness.
In a research by Penn State University with waitresses in a restaurant, they discovered tips went up about 40% when the waitresses smiled.
Consultant psychiatrist Dr. Naveen Jayaram at Sakra World Hospital explains that the moment you smile, energy is shared with the other person. A smile releases endorphins and feel-good chemicals like serotonin. You have mirror neurons: even looking at smiling people has the same positive effect.
The effect of a smile is so contagious that you may even catch one from yourself!
Dr. Eva Ritzo, a psychiatrist, recommends smiling at yourself in the mirror, an act she says that can help calm you down and re-center if you’re feeling low or anxious.
And as you know, keeping a straight face when a person is smiling at you is difficult. Now that includes yourself! 😋
With all this in mind, we have to wonder what effect wearing masks during Covid would have on close communication. No doubt this included many misunderstandings and communication breakdowns. As humans, we adapt to change; perhaps we have taken a tip from the Japanese culture and have improved our eye contact communication?
Final thoughts
As you finish brushing your teeth tomorrow morning, look in the mirror and smile. Don’t worry about the toothpaste dribbling down your chin. That will help you smile. Do this daily for a longer, healthier, happier life!
The happiness level that a smile can bring to your brain is estimated as equivalent to that of having 2,000 bars of chocolate!
So, you don’t need chocolate to be happy.
Just your smile will do! 😊
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