Does Smiling Really Make People Happier?
Does Smiling Really Make People Happier?
I’m not a
very smile-y person, and lately I’ve noticed that when I do smile, my face
sometimes feels like I haven’t smiled in a loooong time.I’ve been trying to remember to smile more. Facial expressions don’t merely reflect emotions, they also influence emotions. In “facial feedback,” studies show, the mere act of smiling makes people happier — even when they’re asked not to “smile” but rather to contract specific facial muscles.
Random smiling is an example of my resolution to Act the way I want to feel: while people suppose that feelings inspire actions, in fact, actions also inspire feelings. So by acting happier, I should feel happier. And you know, I think I do. “Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile,” Thich Nhat Hanh wrote, “but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.”
Also, because of emotional contagion, people often mimic the faces of people they see. One reasons that people are attracted to happy people is that they “catch” that happiness, themselves.
One note about smiling — from the comments to the three-part Tigger vs. Eeyore discussion, I get the impression that some Tiggers make a habit of telling people “Smile!” — and that many Eeyores find this habit intrusive and deeply annoying. So it appears more effective to let others “catch” your smile rather than telling them to smile. “But they’d be happier if they’d smile!” you may protest. Maybe, but the Eeyores report that being told to smile doesn’t make them feel like smiling. Just the opposite.
Do you find that you can boost your happiness by smiling or through other similar measures? What works for you?
To read more along these lines, check out Happier at Home, chapter five.
--Do you love great quotes? Sign up here for the "Moment of Happiness," and you'll get a free happiness quote by email every morning.
(Photo: Shemp65, Flickr)
Posted by:
Short term cash loans no credit check offer the individual amount up to £10000 which will help the individual in fulfilling their both short term and long term needs in spite of their faulty credit scores.
ReplyDeletequick 6 month payday loans
installment payday loans online
quick loans over 6 months
When it comes to perfect Designing Waterfall Taps At Lower Prices for our homes, which are often very suspicious that it is difficult, time consuming and expensive decision, but there are a variety of forms, and aspects that can be considered to give a better chance if the achievement Ideal bathroom next to you wanted.
ReplyDeleteFor More Detail us at: http://www.ukbathroomhub.co.uk/bathroom-accessories.html
It is exciting to imagine Leggings Combo Pack Online asked the reinvention of popular ethnic wear. Suits emerged as one of the major trends that ethnic wear framework, increasing ease of use and offer great variability in the shade.
ReplyDeleteMore Details: http://www.nituwears.co.in/legging-combos.html