Smile. Because You Can.
And it's free!
A few days ago, I was sitting at my desk, grinding on stuff and tasks that I needed to strike off from my to-do list. It was an off day for me. My early morning routine was ruined because my son had woken up earlier than usual, and I had to look after him. There were loads of unplanned tasks popping up, which was taking up my time and energy. I was getting frustrated at myself and anyone who came up with another request for my time.
Sitting at my desk, trying to get things done, I was greeted by my son again. This time, he had his mother’s mobile phone in his hands. He held the phone high, pointed the back camera towards me, and said enthusiastically, “Smile!”.
Everything changed from that moment onwards.
My mood shifted instantly. I was receptive to everyone with positive emotions. The sense of urgency suddenly disappeared, and I was left with more clarity. The rest of the day was blissful.
All because my 3-year-old son asked me to smile.
You see, my son learned how to open up the mobile’s camera and click photos recently (and he is pretty good at it, too!). Anyone and anything around him, he makes sure the moment gets captured.
I was fortunate enough not to shoo him away when he approached me. I am grateful that my quest to be mindful is finally bearing fruit. It could easily have been the other way around. “I am working right now! Come back later!” could have been the response not so long ago.
But I did smile. The photo was beautiful. And so was the moment.
Smiling isn’t just a reaction to happiness—it can create happiness. Research shows that the act of smiling triggers the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin. These are the brain’s natural feel-good chemicals, which help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and boost your mood.
But the benefits don’t stop there. Smiling is also contagious. When you smile at someone, their brain automatically responds by mirroring your expression. This creates a positive feedback loop, spreading joy and connection. It’s no wonder that people who smile often are perceived as more approachable, trustworthy, and confident.
Remember when you are in a group, and someone starts to laugh hysterically (ROFL, literally!), and everyone in the group responds involuntarily to the sweet madness? Or you might have come across videos of a guy traveling in a subway and laughing like a maniac, looking into his phone, and slowly, everyone around him responds in kind. I am pretty sure you might have experienced similar situations.
So what’s stopping us from remembering to get on with this simple act of smiling?
Fear of Judgment
Many people worry about how their smile will be perceived.
"What if they think I’m fake?"
"What if they don’t smile back?"
"What if I look silly?"
These fears often stem from overthinking and self-doubt, which can override the natural impulse to smile.
Stress and Negative Emotions
When we’re stressed, anxious, or upset, smiling is often the last thing on our minds. Negative emotions can create a mental block, making it harder to access the positive feelings that naturally lead to smiling. Ironically, this is when smiling could help the most—by reducing stress and improving mood.
Life’s Challenges
Let’s face it—life can be hard. When we’re dealing with personal struggles, grief, or chronic stress, smiling can feel like an insurmountable effort. In these moments, it’s important to remember that even a small, forced smile can help shift our mindset and provide a moment of relief.
The "Resting Face" Trap
Many of us fall into the habit of maintaining a neutral or serious "resting face" in public. This can be a defense mechanism to avoid unwanted interactions or to blend in. Over time, this habit can become so ingrained that we forget to smile altogether, even when we’re in a good mood.
Lack of Awareness
Some people simply don’t realize the power of smiling. They may not know about the scientific benefits or the positive impact it can have on others. Without this awareness, smiling becomes an automatic behavior rather than a conscious tool for improving well-being.
Social Conditioning and Cultural Norms
In some cultures or social settings, smiling too much can be perceived as inappropriate, unprofessional, or even insincere.
In certain professional environments, people may suppress smiles to appear serious or authoritative.
In some cultures, smiling at strangers is considered unusual or even suspicious.
Gender norms can also play a role—women are often expected to smile more, while men may feel pressured to appear stoic.
These cultural and social expectations can create barriers to expressing ourselves freely through smiles.
Bring back that beautiful smile of yours!
So let’s bring back what makes us human.
Modern life has forced us to focus on what’s difficult rather than enjoying what’s easy and serene. We have lost many of our life’s beautiful tools in the comfort of today’s world. And with it, our reason to smile.
It’s so easy, yet so hard.
Let go of the fear of judgment. Your smile is a gift, and it doesn’t need to be perfect to be meaningful.
Instead of worrying about how others will perceive your smile, focus on how it makes you feel. Smiling is as much for you as it is for others.
Smile at yourself the first thing you wake up. Smile at yourself in the mirror. Smile at your wife. Smile at your kids. Smile at your parents. Smile at your neighbors. Smile at your pets. Smile at your colleagues. Smile at a stranger.
Watch a funny video, read a joke, or recall a happy memory to trigger a genuine smile.
Even when life feels heavy, try to find small moments of joy. A smile can be a powerful act of resilience.
Just smile.
What are your reasons for smiling? Are you mindful enough to realize that you are on a smile deficit? What steps are you taking to make yours and everyone around you - smile?
I would love to know your thoughts.
I am on a mission to share my personal experiences, knowledge, and learnings over the years with the world. Even if it reaches and helps one person - it’s mission accomplished!
If you liked what you read, please feel free to share the post with your friends and family!
Until then (With a smile 😊)!