A WORLD OF SMILES
A Smile is a curve that sets everything straight”, Phyllis Diller
There is a popular Expression that says “When you smile, the world smiles with you and when you frown, you frown alone”. The phrase is believed to have roots in a 1883 poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox titled “Solitude“, in which the poet begins the poem with these lines, “Laugh, and the world laughs with you; weep, and they give you the laugh”. Which simply means that people are drawn to those that are happy and avoid those who are gloomy.
Even if things are not going the best in your life, there are many benefits of smiling both to you and also to others who may need it. Harvey Ross Ball, is an individual that recognized the importance and necessity of smiling when he created the famous smiley face in 1963. His design stemmed from a work project that he was given to come with an image to help increase morale. Decades later, the “Smiley Face” image evolved into World Smile Day which has been occurring on the first Friday in October since 1999.
However, sometimes cultivating a positive attitude means that we may have to sometimes, “fake it until we make it”, meaning that sometimes we have to consciously cultivate an atmosphere of positivity until it eventually manifests into reality.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE SMILE
“A Smile is Free Therapy”…unknown
The smile of the Mona Lisa oil paint has intrigued men for centuries. The Italian artist (Leonardo da Vinci) who began painting the Mona Lisa in 1503, took more than a decade to perfect her famous smile. Da Vinci’s work involved combining art with science and optical illusions which is why the Mona Lisa smiles appears to interacting with our gaze while seemingly mysteriously smiling back at us. (it spectators). However, Mona Lisa’s smile is not the only smile that have caused people to search for a hidden meaning.
Smiling is something that you will find people doing every day around the world. Not only do smiles have important social functions, but it also have important psychological and physiological benefits as well.
“Fake it til you make it” is a well-known frames that suggests that we should be optimistic regardless of what our circumstances are, which can be accomplished by the simply act of smiling.
Scientific studies have proven that the mere act of smiling can reduce blood pressure, lower stress hormones, boost one’s mood, and increase longevity. Given all of these benefits, it seems natural that people should want to make smiling a way of life. However, oftentimes this can be very challenging to do in the midst of hardships. However, behavior scientist have proven that smiling is a learned behavior that can trick your mind into happiness.
WAYS TO SMILE MORE
“use your smile to change the world; don’t let the world change your smile.”
Smiling, though sometimes challenging to do, is a behavior that becomes stronger with more repetition. The following are ways that you can train yourself to smile more often.
- Smiling is contagious, so spend more time around positive people
- Watch something funny
- Visit a comedy club
- Do things that bring you happy memories
- Do things that you enjoy
- Spend more time in nature
- Do something nice for someone else
REFERENCES:
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45937/solitude-56d225aad9924
https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/world-smile-day-first-friday-in-october
https://neurosciencenews.com/smiling-mind-positive-16813/
https://www.nbcnews.com/better/health/smiling-can-trick-your-brain-happiness-boost-your-health-ncna822591
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Mona-Lisa-painting
https://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/21/science/what-is-it-with-mona-lisa-s-smile-it-s-you.html
