Smiling regularly may improve mood and emotional wellbeing

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 24 Oct, 14:02 · Archive

Research suggests that deliberately smiling can improve mood and emotional wellbeing. The 'facial feedback hypothesis', discussed by Stanford psychology professor Jeanne Tsai, posits that the physical act of smiling influences emotions. In one often-replicated experiment, subjects who held a pencil between their lips to create a smile felt more amused whilst viewing positive content than those adopting a frown.

Tsai explained that the effect may work by prompting people to remember positive experiences. "When you're doing it in a room by yourself, you're not doing it in a social interaction, maybe it's making you remember, or it's an effect of remembering some good thing that happened and that would put you in a better mood," she said.

Some institutions are taking the benefits seriously. The Orange County Academy of Sciences and Arts in Southern California emphasises smiling in its philosophy, stating that it "creates a supportive classroom culture that makes students relaxed, active, and motivated" and "increases emotional well-being, lowers stress, and gives students confidence."

Dr Judy Ho, a clinical and forensic neuropsychologist at Pepperdine University, discusses smiling as a coping strategy with patients suffering depression or anxiety, though she cautioned it is not a sole treatment.

How it is being reported

• Cracking a smile regularly may be good not just for your mood but for your healthSome campuses and workplaces are trying to foster more smiling and positivity, and experts say it can go a long way.News4Jax · 24 Oct, 13:38
• Cracking a smile regularly may be good not just for your mood but for your healthSome campuses and workplaces are trying to foster more smiling and positivity, and experts say it can go a long way.Clickorlando · 24 Oct, 13:38

In this story: Stanford University · Jeanne Tsai · Orange County Academy of Sciences and Arts · Judy Ho · Pepperdine University

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