The Science of a Smile

What little things were you able to do to make it a great day for someone else this past week? I hope you discovered that it doesn’t take a lot to make someone else feel valued and appreciated.

To continue with the message from last week, Daryl R. Van Tongeren, an assistant professor of psychology at Hope College, states that if we want to feel better about ourselves and have purpose in our lives, we must do something for someone else. Isn’t that what those little things do for others but also gives back to the giver? He also states, “When people do the right thing-taking the moral high ground-they enjoy lasting sense of purpose, so daily moral actions translate to a meaning-filled life.” This week I hope to continue the idea of the little things that make a huge difference. One of those little things that is so easy to do yet also easy not to do… is to smile.

In a conversation Jon had with a current assistant track coach at CU, he told the young man that he was essentially lazy.  If you know Jon at all, you also know that the word “lazy” is NOT anywhere in his vocabulary.  He went on to tell the coach that he learned, a long time ago, that it takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile, so he chooses to smile.

Coincidentally, an article in Success magazine, December issue, is titled “The Science of a Smile.”  Shawn Anchor writes that if you change your face, you will change your outcome. “When people complain, their facial expressions become scrunched and anxious. When we feel threatened by a negative family member or co-worker our faces usually reflect exactly what we are trying to reject.” That’s an interesting statement and something to pay attention to not only in others but also in ourselves.

Shawn continues, “Want people around you to be more positive? Check YOUR face first. Emotions are highly contagious; they spread through our nonverbal cues. When we interact with people who are in a good mood we subconsciously begin to copy their body language, tone of voice and facial expressions. Once we mimic these physical behaviors, research shows we actually begin to feel the emotion ourselves. When we smile, our mood elevates. Scientists refer to this as the “facial feedback hypothesis.” “Something as simple as smiling could transform your life.”

A tweet from #TweetsWeLike says, “Remember YOU are amazing! Make sure to tell others they are amazing as well!” It’s all about the little things. Now add to that, it’s also about a smile. “10% of conflict is due to a difference of opinion, and 90% is due to delivery and tone of voice.” I would speculate that a smile rather than a frown might have a different outcome in many conflicts. 

As the article says, there’s science behind the reason why we do feel better when we smile, we do feel more energized when we’re around positive, upbeat people, and we do feel energized when we can do the little things that make a difference in someone else’s life. So here's to more energy and a positive mindset...SMILE and do the little things!

As Thanksgiving approaches followed by the holidays; shopping lists are long, holiday parties pile up on the calendar, school programs are scheduled, and the “to do” list seems endless. I would suggest to  take time TODAY and make a promise to yourself that when you’re in the long checkout line – SMILE at those around you – when you finally get to the checkout SMILE at the busy clerk and never leave without looking them in the eye and say thank you. When you find yourself being overwhelmed, decide what is really important. Yes, holidays can be stressful, but we’re the ones in control of that. What’s your mindset? Be attentive to the little things and always take the lazy way out - SMILE.

If you haven’t seen the commercial with the little boy sitting on a bus/train, he mimics the frowns and furrowed brows of those around him. Then he changes and has an ear to ear SMILE. What happens next? To a person, they turn their frown into a SMILE. It’s the little things in life. “Change your face, change your outcome!”

I wish you a week of SMILING and continuing to do the little things.