Skills & tools

Smile More

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Web Wisdom

Why do we need to try to smile more?

Smiling has several benefits, both for ourselves and for those around us.

-Smiling makes you feel happier

-Smiling reduces pain

-Smiling improves social interactions

-Smiling boosts confidence

-Smiling is contagious

-Smiling improves productivity

Smiling should not be forced or used to suppress negative emotions.

It's about finding a balance and embracing the positive effects of smiling in appropriate situations.

So, go ahead and try to smile a little today.

It’s worth with the effort!

**Smiling and THEN talking to strangers is the next step... **

Read comments under Author Opinion 1 below

Author's Opinion

Smiling & Talking to strangers

Book: Happy Mind Happy Life -Dr Rangan Chattergee 2023

Humans are social animals and we are wired for connection

Nature wants us to connect with others and reward us with positive feelings when we do.

Psychologists have found that we have a network in our brains that acts as a “sociometer”.

The job of the sociometer is to constantly scan our social world.

If it detects we’re not securely connected, our self-esteem plummets and our stress response is triggered.

We become anxious and unhappy and at greater risk of becoming physically and mentally ill.

It's hard to overstate the importance of having a network of positive social connections.

Clearly, it is good to have healthy ties to romantic partners, family and friends.

What is less obvious is that we should also seek to feel connected to strangers that flit in and out of our everyday lives.

The problem with online connections is that it mostly takes the form of validation -seeking or conflict.

They are not behaving in their daily lives as they behave online.

They want love, so they create a persona that gets them more love in that particular environment.

All of us feel better when we have interacted positively with others.

There are usually many opportunities in the day to day to day to do this, once we train ourselves to look for them.

By all means start when you feel uncomfortable, but don't be afraid to gradually move out of your comfort zone.

Remember the people you interact with probably want to be spoken to as well.

Use the following examples as inspiration to get going.

When you are on public transport, try saying “hello, how are you?” If that feels like too much, a simple gesture such as nodding your head or a quick smile will do.

When you pick up your coffee, thank the barista for making it or wish them a good day.

When you buy a train ticket, smile and say thank you.

On a walk or a run, acknowledge someone walking by you with a smile or change your facial expression.

When you are in a cafe or restaurant, and the server appears, ask them how they are.

**Sometimes your attempts will be rejected. Don't allow this to upset you. **

**Remember, you don't know this stranger, so there is no possible way their response can be personal. **

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Updated: November 2023

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