We often underestimate the power of a smile. It’s so simple and common that we tend to ignore its power, but research evidence suggests that a smile can boost mental and physical health and increase success in relationships and work.
Researchers distinguish between the Duchenne and the non-Duchenne smile, named after the French neurologist, Duchenne de Boulogne who first identified them. The Duchenne smile is genuine, sincere and wholehearted. This smile involves the whole face, particularly the eye muscles. The non-Duchenne smile is more fake, perhaps given as a polite gesture, and just involves the mouth. The Duchenne smile is the one that provides the most benefit.
Some studies suggest that frequent Duchenne smiles are associated with longer life-span. We know that when we smile, our bodies release endorphins, the comfort or feel-good hormones. We also know that frequent smiles tend to lower blood pressure and boost our immune system, making us more resistant to illness.
The physical benefits of a smile are significant, but are far outweighed by the social/ relationship effects. One study suggested that people who smile frequently tend to have lower divorce rates in later life. We communicate and connect through smiles. We encourage others and bond with them.
Many years ago, a retired college professor shared this story. She said that she was in her office the day before that year’s graduation. A young black woman entered her office and said she was graduating the next day and wanted to thank her. The professor didn’t recognize the woman and asked if she had taken her classes, to which the woman replied that she had not. The woman explained that, four years earlier, she had been one of the first black students at the college. She said that, during her freshman year, many there had made her feel unwelcome, and that she was considering dropping out. She said that she passed this professor in the hall on a regular basis, and that the professor often smiled as they passed. The student noted that the professor’s smile made her feel she wanted her to be there. The student reasoned that if one person wanted her there, perhaps there were others. She began to look for, and find, others who welcomed her as a student. She stayed at the college and was graduating the next day, so she wanted to thank the professor for helping her finish.
We never know the power of a small gesture, a smile. You will feel better, and you never know who else you might touch.
Question: Do you have an experience where a smile made a difference? Please share it.
When I first moved to Rutherfordton, I was exhausted from the long drive from Florida and was wondering if the move was the right decision. I was standing in line at McDonald’s in kind of a daze and a large, African American woman came up to me and asked me how I was doing. We carried on a brief conversation and, before she left, she went out of her way to find me and — with a big, wide smile — she told me to have a blessed day. She seemed to intuitively know how I was feeling. I felt like I had an encounter with an angel that had been sent by God to let me know that He was still with me.
As an RN I frequently work with patients who are in a stressful situation and just want to go home from the hospital. When a patient is brought to my area of work I will often just sit and look at them for about 5 seconds, just long enough to make them wonder, whats up. Then I will tell them they have to smile before we can begin our procedure. Many times I get a fake smile but often the smile is genuine, both lead to laughter, conversation and a relaxed study. Smiles go a long way in a hospital.