The Powerful Impact of a Simple Smile

In this world, both positive and negative emotions exist. It is inevitable for different people to feel down on different days. However, how much does one smile cost? Many people think that smiling at someone is a burden and is of no importance in any way. However, if someone is feeling down, a simple smile can completely light up their day in just a few moments. In life, most things are not free, but a genuine smile is something that anyone can give at no cost. 

A smile provides many benefits to oneself in terms of physical and mental health. A smile naturally convinces the brain that one is happy despite the situation they are in, showing how a smile can instantly brighten up one’s mood. Studies from Doctor Isha Gupta show that “a smile spurs a chemical reaction in the brain, releasing certain hormones including dopamine and serotonin.” Smiles have an even larger effect on the immunity of someone, as mental health is closely related to the healthy functioning of an immune system. When someone smiles, it sends signals to their brain that they are in good health, and the brain consequently relies on this information to communicate healthy behavior with the immune system. 

There are many times when one is in a situation that does not cause them to naturally smile. In this case, fake smiling can be a solution, because even just the act of pretending to smile tricks the brain into reacting optimistically. Many people believe that no smile is better than a fake smile. However, it is important to note that a fake smile can be converted into a genuine one if one is able to take the time and effort to concentrate on their happiness, despite their feelings of sadness. This attitude makes people happy because it helps them to get over their sadness first so that they have room to be happy.

Smiling not only helps oneself, but it also helps others as well. Smiling is known to be contagious, because a genuine smile is one that holds deeper feelings than surface leveled joy. A smile can often communicate empathy and understanding from one person to another and is a form of expression. This connection between individuals eventually leads to them having a more positive outlook on the world. Therefore, if one thinks that their smile makes no impact on others, they should remember smiles are like a chain reaction that travels through communities to brighten up people’s days. Knowing the positive effects that smiling has on people, it is surely reasonable to say that if the whole world is able to share a smile, the world will become a better place for future generations.

Whether it is a friend or a stranger, the next time you walk through the school hallways, take a moment to smile at the people around you. If you have the goodwill and intention to smile at someone, it will most likely brighten both your mood and the mood of the person you are smiling at, as smiles bring upon the inevitable embracement of happiness. It may not be noticeable at first, but if you look at your situation from a different perspective, you will eventually understand that the world has become a much brighter and inclusive environment, just because of the heartfelt smile you gave to others.