Surprising reason why people smile: It makes you happier

There's more to smiling than simply trying to be nice and polite. Studies show that smiling can actually make you happier, even when you're faking it! In other words, from a young age, we've smiled countless times while in the presence of others or when experiencing something, be it a first kiss or heartfelt moment in a movie. Unbeknownst to us, that very smile was putting us in a better mood, making us even more likely to enjoy that special kiss or captivating movie scene.

Now, does this mean that smiling around your obnoxious boss or meddling in-laws can make you like them more? That's probably a stretch.

I think smiling can best be put to use in certain situations. For example, when you're nervous about something -- say, a presentation you have to make before a crowd of 100 people -- smiling can likely calm your nerves and put you in a more positive frame of mind: Instead of thinking "I'm going to do terribly," you may feel you can actually wow your audience.

The same goes for feeling depressed. I've noticed that when I am going through tough times, smiling helps me feel a little better. I remember situations in which I smiled out of joy and tell myself that I will likely be in that position again before I know it.

Did you know that smiling can make you happier? Did you ever realize this for yourself?

Comments

This will spell the end of your relationship

When asked to think about the most common culprits for a relationship's going south, most people will point to cheating, complacency, and taking one's partner for granted. While these are all valid -- and documented in various posts on this blog -- there are certain habits on the part of partners that may not kill the relationship right away, but cause it to erode more gradually. Among the most egregious of these is expecting your significant other to be perfect. They pick at your follies any chance they get. Nothing you do is ever good enough. In fact, you will never measure up to an ex, neighbor, or accomplished co-worker. Perhaps this all sounds a bit familiar. When you feel as though you're constantly being put under the microscope, it can inflict lasting damage on the relationship and your self-esteem. You're walking on eggshells all the time, praying you don't say or do something that's going to trigger your partner. This is no way to live, let alone ca

No response from someone IS a response

Make no mistake about it: When you don't get a response from someone -- whether they fail to answer your texts or return your phone calls -- it is still a response, and a powerful one at that. When a person fails to respond, it's a direct reflection of their interest -- or lack thereof -- in the relationship. Few things are more aggravating than having to hound a partner, friend, or relative for some sort of reply after we've reached out to them. Yes, we get busy from time to time, but that doesn't give anyone the right to leave the other person hanging. A terse text with something like "Been busy, will reach out soon" doesn't say much, but at least it shows some effort to bring the other person up to speed on why they've fallen off the radar. Failing to provide a response for weeks -- if not months -- communicates that you are just not a priority, and that you'll have to wait your turn to get this individual's attention. This is n

Misconceptions about quiet people

Earlier today, I came across a Facebook page that features motivational quotes intended to improve people's moods and enhance their overall self-esteem. Interestingly, I noticed two quotes that focus specifically on quiet people: "Be afraid of quiet people; they're the ones who actually think." "The quietest people have the loudest minds." I've observed that most people's views of quiet individuals can fall under one of two categories: 1. The ones who say quiet people are antisocial, suspicious, snobbish, and/or full of themselves. 2. The people who say their introspective nature and propensity to be deep in thought makes them smarter than their more garrulous peers. The quotes above speak to this mindset. As an introvert known to be quiet at work and at social functions where I might not know anyone, I feel I'm well positioned to dispel any inaccuracies surrounding quiet folks. First of all, the above statements misguidedly put

Understand People

Search This Blog