The Surprising Social and Financial Benefits of Smiling

Your smile is one of your most valuable personal assets. Are you maximizing its potential? From boosting your mood to making you look confident and approachable, there are plenty of good reasons to smile more often at work, at home, and out and about in the world.

Everyone knows that when you smile at another person, you help brighten their day.

But did you know that smiling is good for you, too? Smiling lifts your mood. It smooths out wrinkles and adds color to your cheeks.

There are also positive financial benefits to smiling more often. Researchers have found that people who have an easy, relaxed smile are viewed as more confident and capable than people who are always frowning.

If smiling to improve your health and well-being isn't reason enough to crack open a happy grin, check out some of these financial benefits of smiling.¹

Smiling increases productivity.

People who get stuff done are more likely to attract favorable attention from bosses and supervisors. Research has shown that smiling while you work increases energy levels. The next time your co-worker sends you a silly cat video or internet joke, don’t blow it off as a waste of time. A smile on your face can give you the burst of energy you need to power through your day.

Smiling encourages feelings of openness and trust.

Studies show that people are seen as more trustworthy when they smile sincerely. Building a solid reputation as a trustworthy and honest person at work can increase your job prospects, improve your sales, and earn you more money.

Smiling increases your attention span.

Have you ever noticed that when you're stressed out you can only handle one thing at a time? Stress limits your ability to multi-task because your body is in fight or flee mode. Smiling is a natural way to calm down and relax. And when you're calm and relaxed, you're more aware. This increases your ability to notice fine details, see problems from a new perspective, and find creative solutions that other people (grumpy people) might miss.

Smiling makes you look successful.

People who smile warmly and sincerely often appear more competent and confident than those around them who aren't smiling. Studies have shown that people who smile frequently are friendlier towards their clients and customers and therefore earn higher tips and make more sales. People who look confident are also more likely to be asked to take on important leadership tasks.

Guess why I smile a lot? Because it's worth it.

— Marcel the Shell

The quote above is from a favorite YouTube video series called "Marcel the Shell with Shoes On" It's just a series of short stop-motion animated videos of a tiny shell character being interviewed documentary style. No matter what kind of day I'm having, watching these little videos always puts me in a good mood. Find something that makes you smile and come back to it often. It could be a whimsical video, a favorite photograph, a comedy monologue or a silly TV jingle.

Smile, even when no one is looking.

Try this experiment and see if you notice a difference. When you carry out a boring task such as doing the dishes or folding the laundry, wear a smile on your face, even if you aren't necessarily in a good mood. How does the boring task that you are doing feel now?

A riddle: What is it?

It costs nothing but gives much. It enriches those who receive it without making poorer those who give it.

It takes but a moment, but the memory of it sometimes lasts forever.

None is so rich or mighty that he cannot get along without it and none is so poor that he cannot be made rich by it.

What is it?

A smile.

~ Author Unknown

Notes:

1. www.sunwarrior.com/news/15-health-benefits-of-smiling