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Many see smiling simply as an involuntary response to things that bring you joy or inspire laughter. While this is undoubtedly true, it overlooks an important point: Smiling can be a conscious, intentionalchoice.What does psychology say about smiling? Whether your smile is genuine or not, it can affect your body and mind in various positive ways, benefiting your health, your mood, and even the moods of people around you.What Can Smiling Mean?Research suggests that there are three primary types of smiles:Reward: Smiles that convey approval, happiness, contentment, and other positive feelings.Affiliation: Smiles that communicate positive intention, trustworthiness, belongingness, compassion, and social connection.Dominance: Smiles intended to convey contempt, disgust, or superiority. Such smiles have been shown to increase cortisol (stress hormone) levels in people they are directed toward.
Many see smiling simply as an involuntary response to things that bring you joy or inspire laughter. While this is undoubtedly true, it overlooks an important point: Smiling can be a conscious, intentionalchoice.
What does psychology say about smiling? Whether your smile is genuine or not, it can affect your body and mind in various positive ways, benefiting your health, your mood, and even the moods of people around you.
What Can Smiling Mean?Research suggests that there are three primary types of smiles:Reward: Smiles that convey approval, happiness, contentment, and other positive feelings.Affiliation: Smiles that communicate positive intention, trustworthiness, belongingness, compassion, and social connection.Dominance: Smiles intended to convey contempt, disgust, or superiority. Such smiles have been shown to increase cortisol (stress hormone) levels in people they are directed toward.
What Can Smiling Mean?
Research suggests that there are three primary types of smiles:Reward: Smiles that convey approval, happiness, contentment, and other positive feelings.Affiliation: Smiles that communicate positive intention, trustworthiness, belongingness, compassion, and social connection.Dominance: Smiles intended to convey contempt, disgust, or superiority. Such smiles have been shown to increase cortisol (stress hormone) levels in people they are directed toward.
Research suggests that there are three primary types of smiles:
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Smiling Helps You Live Longer
Paul Bradbury / Caiaimage / Getty Images
Perhaps the most compelling reason to smile is that it may lengthen your overall lifespan. One study found that genuine, intense smiling is associated with longer life.
2Smiling Relieves StressStress can permeate our entire being, including showing up in your face and expression. Smiling not only helps to prevent us from looking tired, worn down, and overwhelmed, but it can actually helpdecrease stress.Believe it or not,smiling can reduce stresseven if you don’t feel like smiling or even if you fake it with a smile that isn’t genuine.When you are stressed, try intentionally putting a smile on your face. It may help improve your mood and ability to manage the stress you are experiencing.
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Smiling Relieves StressStress can permeate our entire being, including showing up in your face and expression. Smiling not only helps to prevent us from looking tired, worn down, and overwhelmed, but it can actually helpdecrease stress.Believe it or not,smiling can reduce stresseven if you don’t feel like smiling or even if you fake it with a smile that isn’t genuine.When you are stressed, try intentionally putting a smile on your face. It may help improve your mood and ability to manage the stress you are experiencing.
Smiling Relieves Stress
Stress can permeate our entire being, including showing up in your face and expression. Smiling not only helps to prevent us from looking tired, worn down, and overwhelmed, but it can actually helpdecrease stress.
Believe it or not,smiling can reduce stresseven if you don’t feel like smiling or even if you fake it with a smile that isn’t genuine.
When you are stressed, try intentionally putting a smile on your face. It may help improve your mood and ability to manage the stress you are experiencing.
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Smiling Elevates Mood
Smiling can also help make you feel happy. Next time you are feeling down, try putting on a smile. There’s a good chance your mood will change for the better.
A simple smile can trigger the release of neuropeptides (such as prolactin, vasopressin, and oxytocin) that improve your neural communication. It also causes the release ofneurotransmitterssuch as dopamine and serotonin, which can reduce anxiety and boost your mood. Think of smiling as a natural antidepressant.
How to Instantly Lift Your Mood
4Smiling Is ContagiousHow many times have you heard that a smile has the power to light up the room? While it is certainly a beautiful sentiment, it carries a hint of truth.Smiling not only can elevateyourmood, but it can also change the moods of others for the better.Research suggests that smiles are actually contagious.Your brain automatically notices and interprets other people’s facial expressions—and sometimes, you may even mimic them. That means you might spot someone else’s smile and unconsciously smile yourself.Emotional Contagion: Can Emotions Really Be Infectious?
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Smiling Is ContagiousHow many times have you heard that a smile has the power to light up the room? While it is certainly a beautiful sentiment, it carries a hint of truth.Smiling not only can elevateyourmood, but it can also change the moods of others for the better.Research suggests that smiles are actually contagious.Your brain automatically notices and interprets other people’s facial expressions—and sometimes, you may even mimic them. That means you might spot someone else’s smile and unconsciously smile yourself.Emotional Contagion: Can Emotions Really Be Infectious?
Smiling Is Contagious
How many times have you heard that a smile has the power to light up the room? While it is certainly a beautiful sentiment, it carries a hint of truth.
Smiling not only can elevateyourmood, but it can also change the moods of others for the better.
Research suggests that smiles are actually contagious.Your brain automatically notices and interprets other people’s facial expressions—and sometimes, you may even mimic them. That means you might spot someone else’s smile and unconsciously smile yourself.
Emotional Contagion: Can Emotions Really Be Infectious?
5Smiling May Lower Blood PressureSmiling could have a beneficial impact on your blood pressure. Laughter specifically seems to cause muscle relaxation and lower blood pressure after causing an initial increase in heart rate, breathing, and oxygen consumption.While smiling has been shown to lower one’s heart rate in the face of stress, research also shows that it lowers blood pressure.One study showed that laughter therapy may help patients reduce their need for heart medications.If you have a blood pressure monitor at home, you can try testing this idea for yourself. Sit for a few minutes and take a reading. Then, smile for a minute and take another reading while still smiling. Do you notice a difference?
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Smiling May Lower Blood PressureSmiling could have a beneficial impact on your blood pressure. Laughter specifically seems to cause muscle relaxation and lower blood pressure after causing an initial increase in heart rate, breathing, and oxygen consumption.While smiling has been shown to lower one’s heart rate in the face of stress, research also shows that it lowers blood pressure.One study showed that laughter therapy may help patients reduce their need for heart medications.If you have a blood pressure monitor at home, you can try testing this idea for yourself. Sit for a few minutes and take a reading. Then, smile for a minute and take another reading while still smiling. Do you notice a difference?
Smiling May Lower Blood Pressure
Smiling could have a beneficial impact on your blood pressure. Laughter specifically seems to cause muscle relaxation and lower blood pressure after causing an initial increase in heart rate, breathing, and oxygen consumption.
While smiling has been shown to lower one’s heart rate in the face of stress, research also shows that it lowers blood pressure.One study showed that laughter therapy may help patients reduce their need for heart medications.
If you have a blood pressure monitor at home, you can try testing this idea for yourself. Sit for a few minutes and take a reading. Then, smile for a minute and take another reading while still smiling. Do you notice a difference?
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Smiling Boosts the Immune System
Proverbs 17:22A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.
Proverbs 17:22
A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.
Whether you’re trying to maintain your overall health or strengthen your immune system ahead of cold and flu season, smiling may help. Warding off illness and staying healthier can also play a role in helping you feel less stressed.
What Is the Gut-Brain Axis?
7Smiling Reduces PainStudies have shown that smiling releases our body’s natural pain killers known asendorphins, as well asserotonin.Together, these brain chemicals make us feel good from head to toe. Not only do they elevate your mood, but they also relax your body and reduce physical pain. Smiling is a natural ‘high.’
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Smiling Reduces PainStudies have shown that smiling releases our body’s natural pain killers known asendorphins, as well asserotonin.Together, these brain chemicals make us feel good from head to toe. Not only do they elevate your mood, but they also relax your body and reduce physical pain. Smiling is a natural ‘high.’
Smiling Reduces Pain
Studies have shown that smiling releases our body’s natural pain killers known asendorphins, as well asserotonin.Together, these brain chemicals make us feel good from head to toe. Not only do they elevate your mood, but they also relax your body and reduce physical pain. Smiling is a natural ‘high.’
8Smiling Makes You AttractiveWe are naturally drawn to people who smile. While more severe or negative facial expressions like frowns, scowls, and grimaces work oppositely, effectively pushing people away, smiling is seen as more attractive—and people may even assume you have more positive personality traits if you’re smiling. You will draw more people to you, and ahealthy social connectednessis essential to our overall well-being.Not only can smiling make you more attractive, but it can also make you look more youthful. The muscles we use to smile also lift the face, making a person appear younger. So, instead of opting for a facelift, try smiling your way through the day—you’ll look youngerandfeel better.
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Smiling Makes You AttractiveWe are naturally drawn to people who smile. While more severe or negative facial expressions like frowns, scowls, and grimaces work oppositely, effectively pushing people away, smiling is seen as more attractive—and people may even assume you have more positive personality traits if you’re smiling. You will draw more people to you, and ahealthy social connectednessis essential to our overall well-being.Not only can smiling make you more attractive, but it can also make you look more youthful. The muscles we use to smile also lift the face, making a person appear younger. So, instead of opting for a facelift, try smiling your way through the day—you’ll look youngerandfeel better.
Smiling Makes You Attractive
We are naturally drawn to people who smile. While more severe or negative facial expressions like frowns, scowls, and grimaces work oppositely, effectively pushing people away, smiling is seen as more attractive—and people may even assume you have more positive personality traits if you’re smiling. You will draw more people to you, and ahealthy social connectednessis essential to our overall well-being.
Not only can smiling make you more attractive, but it can also make you look more youthful. The muscles we use to smile also lift the face, making a person appear younger. So, instead of opting for a facelift, try smiling your way through the day—you’ll look youngerandfeel better.
9Smiling Suggests SuccessResearch has shown that people who smile regularlyappear more confident, are more likely to be promoted, and are more likely to be approached.Try putting on a smile at meetings and business appointments. You might find that people react to you differently.
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Smiling Suggests SuccessResearch has shown that people who smile regularlyappear more confident, are more likely to be promoted, and are more likely to be approached.Try putting on a smile at meetings and business appointments. You might find that people react to you differently.
Smiling Suggests Success
Research has shown that people who smile regularlyappear more confident, are more likely to be promoted, and are more likely to be approached.Try putting on a smile at meetings and business appointments. You might find that people react to you differently.
10Smiling Helps You Stay PositiveTry this test: Smile. Now, try to think of something negative without losing the smile. It’s hard, isn’t it?Smiling can influence your feelings of positivity, even if it feels unnatural or forced. Whether or not your smile is genuine, it still sends the message that “Life is good!” to your brain and, ultimately, the rest of your body.Benefits of Positive Thinking for Body and Mind
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Smiling Helps You Stay PositiveTry this test: Smile. Now, try to think of something negative without losing the smile. It’s hard, isn’t it?Smiling can influence your feelings of positivity, even if it feels unnatural or forced. Whether or not your smile is genuine, it still sends the message that “Life is good!” to your brain and, ultimately, the rest of your body.Benefits of Positive Thinking for Body and Mind
Smiling Helps You Stay Positive
Try this test: Smile. Now, try to think of something negative without losing the smile. It’s hard, isn’t it?
Smiling can influence your feelings of positivity, even if it feels unnatural or forced. Whether or not your smile is genuine, it still sends the message that “Life is good!” to your brain and, ultimately, the rest of your body.
Benefits of Positive Thinking for Body and Mind
12 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Coles NA, Larsen JT, Lench HC.A meta-analysis of the facial feedback literature: Effects of facial feedback on emotional experience are small and variable.Psychol Bull. 2019;145(6):610-651. doi:10.1037/bul0000194Martin J, Rychlowska M, Wood A, Niedenthal P.Smiles as multipurpose social signals.Trends Cogn Sci. 2017;21(11):864-877. doi:10.1016/j.tics.2017.08.007Abel EL, Kruger ML.Smile intensity in photographs predicts longevity.Psychol Sci. 2010;21(4):542-544. doi:10.1177/0956797610363775Diener E, Chan MY.Happy people live longer: Subjective well-being contributes to health and longevity.Appl Psychol Health Well Being. 2011;3(1):1-43. doi:10.1111/j.1758-0854.2010.01045.xKraft TL, Pressman SD.Grin and bear it: The influence of manipulated facial expression on the stress response.Psychol Sci. 2012;23(11):1372-1378. doi:10.1177/0956797612445312Marmolejo-Ramos F, Murata A, Sasaki K, et al.Your face and moves seem happier when I smile: Facial action influences the perception of emotional faces and biological motion stimuli.Exp Psychol. 2020;67(1):14-22. doi:10.1027/1618-3169/a000470Wood A, Rychlowska M, Korb S, Niedenthal P.Fashioning the face: Sensorimotor simulation contributes to facial expression recognition.Trends Cogn Sci.2016;20(3):227-240. doi:10.1016/j.tics.2015.12.010Strean WB.Laughter prescription.Can Fam Physician. 2009;55(10):965-967.Saffi M, Franzoni L, Nery R, et al.Laughter therapy cardiac rehabilitation in patients with stable coronary artery disease: A randomized clinical trial.European Heart Journal. 2023;44(Supplement_2). doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehad655.2593D’Acquisto F, Rattazzi L, Piras G.Smile—It’s in your blood!Biochem Pharmacol. 2014;91(3):287-292. doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2014.07.016Pressman SD, Acevedo AM, Hammond KV, Kraft-Feil TL.Smile (Or grimace) through the pain? The effects of experimentally manipulated facial expressions on needle-injection responses.Emotion. Published online November 23, 2020. doi:10.1037/emo0000913Little AC, Jones BC, DeBruine LM.Facial attractiveness: Evolutionary based research.Philos Trans R Soc B. 2011;366(1571):1638-1659. doi:10.1098/rstb.2010.0404
12 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Coles NA, Larsen JT, Lench HC.A meta-analysis of the facial feedback literature: Effects of facial feedback on emotional experience are small and variable.Psychol Bull. 2019;145(6):610-651. doi:10.1037/bul0000194Martin J, Rychlowska M, Wood A, Niedenthal P.Smiles as multipurpose social signals.Trends Cogn Sci. 2017;21(11):864-877. doi:10.1016/j.tics.2017.08.007Abel EL, Kruger ML.Smile intensity in photographs predicts longevity.Psychol Sci. 2010;21(4):542-544. doi:10.1177/0956797610363775Diener E, Chan MY.Happy people live longer: Subjective well-being contributes to health and longevity.Appl Psychol Health Well Being. 2011;3(1):1-43. doi:10.1111/j.1758-0854.2010.01045.xKraft TL, Pressman SD.Grin and bear it: The influence of manipulated facial expression on the stress response.Psychol Sci. 2012;23(11):1372-1378. doi:10.1177/0956797612445312Marmolejo-Ramos F, Murata A, Sasaki K, et al.Your face and moves seem happier when I smile: Facial action influences the perception of emotional faces and biological motion stimuli.Exp Psychol. 2020;67(1):14-22. doi:10.1027/1618-3169/a000470Wood A, Rychlowska M, Korb S, Niedenthal P.Fashioning the face: Sensorimotor simulation contributes to facial expression recognition.Trends Cogn Sci.2016;20(3):227-240. doi:10.1016/j.tics.2015.12.010Strean WB.Laughter prescription.Can Fam Physician. 2009;55(10):965-967.Saffi M, Franzoni L, Nery R, et al.Laughter therapy cardiac rehabilitation in patients with stable coronary artery disease: A randomized clinical trial.European Heart Journal. 2023;44(Supplement_2). doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehad655.2593D’Acquisto F, Rattazzi L, Piras G.Smile—It’s in your blood!Biochem Pharmacol. 2014;91(3):287-292. doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2014.07.016Pressman SD, Acevedo AM, Hammond KV, Kraft-Feil TL.Smile (Or grimace) through the pain? The effects of experimentally manipulated facial expressions on needle-injection responses.Emotion. Published online November 23, 2020. doi:10.1037/emo0000913Little AC, Jones BC, DeBruine LM.Facial attractiveness: Evolutionary based research.Philos Trans R Soc B. 2011;366(1571):1638-1659. doi:10.1098/rstb.2010.0404
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Coles NA, Larsen JT, Lench HC.A meta-analysis of the facial feedback literature: Effects of facial feedback on emotional experience are small and variable.Psychol Bull. 2019;145(6):610-651. doi:10.1037/bul0000194Martin J, Rychlowska M, Wood A, Niedenthal P.Smiles as multipurpose social signals.Trends Cogn Sci. 2017;21(11):864-877. doi:10.1016/j.tics.2017.08.007Abel EL, Kruger ML.Smile intensity in photographs predicts longevity.Psychol Sci. 2010;21(4):542-544. doi:10.1177/0956797610363775Diener E, Chan MY.Happy people live longer: Subjective well-being contributes to health and longevity.Appl Psychol Health Well Being. 2011;3(1):1-43. doi:10.1111/j.1758-0854.2010.01045.xKraft TL, Pressman SD.Grin and bear it: The influence of manipulated facial expression on the stress response.Psychol Sci. 2012;23(11):1372-1378. doi:10.1177/0956797612445312Marmolejo-Ramos F, Murata A, Sasaki K, et al.Your face and moves seem happier when I smile: Facial action influences the perception of emotional faces and biological motion stimuli.Exp Psychol. 2020;67(1):14-22. doi:10.1027/1618-3169/a000470Wood A, Rychlowska M, Korb S, Niedenthal P.Fashioning the face: Sensorimotor simulation contributes to facial expression recognition.Trends Cogn Sci.2016;20(3):227-240. doi:10.1016/j.tics.2015.12.010Strean WB.Laughter prescription.Can Fam Physician. 2009;55(10):965-967.Saffi M, Franzoni L, Nery R, et al.Laughter therapy cardiac rehabilitation in patients with stable coronary artery disease: A randomized clinical trial.European Heart Journal. 2023;44(Supplement_2). doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehad655.2593D’Acquisto F, Rattazzi L, Piras G.Smile—It’s in your blood!Biochem Pharmacol. 2014;91(3):287-292. doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2014.07.016Pressman SD, Acevedo AM, Hammond KV, Kraft-Feil TL.Smile (Or grimace) through the pain? The effects of experimentally manipulated facial expressions on needle-injection responses.Emotion. Published online November 23, 2020. doi:10.1037/emo0000913Little AC, Jones BC, DeBruine LM.Facial attractiveness: Evolutionary based research.Philos Trans R Soc B. 2011;366(1571):1638-1659. doi:10.1098/rstb.2010.0404
Coles NA, Larsen JT, Lench HC.A meta-analysis of the facial feedback literature: Effects of facial feedback on emotional experience are small and variable.Psychol Bull. 2019;145(6):610-651. doi:10.1037/bul0000194
Martin J, Rychlowska M, Wood A, Niedenthal P.Smiles as multipurpose social signals.Trends Cogn Sci. 2017;21(11):864-877. doi:10.1016/j.tics.2017.08.007
Abel EL, Kruger ML.Smile intensity in photographs predicts longevity.Psychol Sci. 2010;21(4):542-544. doi:10.1177/0956797610363775
Diener E, Chan MY.Happy people live longer: Subjective well-being contributes to health and longevity.Appl Psychol Health Well Being. 2011;3(1):1-43. doi:10.1111/j.1758-0854.2010.01045.x
Kraft TL, Pressman SD.Grin and bear it: The influence of manipulated facial expression on the stress response.Psychol Sci. 2012;23(11):1372-1378. doi:10.1177/0956797612445312
Marmolejo-Ramos F, Murata A, Sasaki K, et al.Your face and moves seem happier when I smile: Facial action influences the perception of emotional faces and biological motion stimuli.Exp Psychol. 2020;67(1):14-22. doi:10.1027/1618-3169/a000470
Wood A, Rychlowska M, Korb S, Niedenthal P.Fashioning the face: Sensorimotor simulation contributes to facial expression recognition.Trends Cogn Sci.2016;20(3):227-240. doi:10.1016/j.tics.2015.12.010
Strean WB.Laughter prescription.Can Fam Physician. 2009;55(10):965-967.
Saffi M, Franzoni L, Nery R, et al.Laughter therapy cardiac rehabilitation in patients with stable coronary artery disease: A randomized clinical trial.European Heart Journal. 2023;44(Supplement_2). doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehad655.2593
D’Acquisto F, Rattazzi L, Piras G.Smile—It’s in your blood!Biochem Pharmacol. 2014;91(3):287-292. doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2014.07.016
Pressman SD, Acevedo AM, Hammond KV, Kraft-Feil TL.Smile (Or grimace) through the pain? The effects of experimentally manipulated facial expressions on needle-injection responses.Emotion. Published online November 23, 2020. doi:10.1037/emo0000913
Little AC, Jones BC, DeBruine LM.Facial attractiveness: Evolutionary based research.Philos Trans R Soc B. 2011;366(1571):1638-1659. doi:10.1098/rstb.2010.0404
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