Mother Teresa is quoted to have said, “Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.” My mother used to tell me that it takes fewer muscles to smile than to frown, so smile! Whether or not that tale is true doesn’t matter. Smiling is good for you, psychologically. Here are the facts: when you smile you use the same muscles that are used by the brain to evaluate mood. Charles Darwin was the first person to develop the theory that our facial expressions intensify our feelings. He called this theory “feedback loop” or “facial feedback hypothesis.” Therefore, simply choosing to put on a smile can brighten even the dreariest of days. Also, smiling makes us more attractive. My favorite part of the show What Not to Wear is at the end when they show the side by side before and after. If you pay close attention, most before shots are missing smiles and without fail, the after picture includes a big, beautiful, teeth-showing smile. No wonder the change is so significant! To see some of the transformations from glum to happy, follow this link to the show’s result page: http://tlc.discovery.com/fansites/whatnottowear/slideshows/makeovers.html. In the Broadway musical Annie, the orphans sing a song devoted to this expression of joy. Listen to it at this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ry79LzkkDb4. Frank Sinatra sings “Cause when you’re smiling the whole world smiles with you.” Listen to him croon this uplifting melody at this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=351l62Yx0oI.
So don’t forget to put on a smile today, because “you’re never fully dressed without a smile.”
Sources:
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/healthy-living/benefits-of-smiling.htm
