I'm often told I should smile more and that I can come across as grumpy.

For me, I've usually got 100 things whizzing around in my head, and when you work with me in one of my programme's we will work with intensity.

My social media reflects this.

That said, I am trying to smile more often.

Depending on what you read, the science states that it takes 43 muscles to frown, and only 17 muscles to smile.

Therefore we should all smile more as it's easier to do, and actually better for us.

But it is really?

Well the answer is - yes!

A 2019 paper that examined 50 years’ worth of data (spanning 138 studies and over 11,000 participants worldwide) found that facial expressions can prompt us to feel the emotions we associate with them.  This research showed that happiness can make you smile, but also that smiling can make you happy.

According to a 2012 study, a smile can help us cope with immediate stressors by reducing the intensity of our body’s stress response (regardless of whether we’re really happy or not).

Finally smiling affects others around you. A 2002 study showed people will mirror your smile, and feel it easier to smile, if they see others doing so (source: Flip Science).

It's important however to be conscious of people's situation and never be too quick to make judgment. 

Ask if people are ok, check in on them, and remember also that a smile can hide a multitude of difficult situations.

Remember to be nice, always.

You may have more effect on somebody than you actually realise.

Attack the week!

Ric