A couple of weeks ago, we talked about the health benefits of crying. And while those things remain true, it is also important to acknowledge the health benefits of a much different emotional action, one that looks and feels much different but can have many of the same benefits within your body.

Good ol’ smiling. It is such a simple action, but when done more frequently, smiling can have a tremendously positive impact on your overall well-being and quality of life.

As staggering as it is, research shows that while children smile an average of 400 times per day, the average adult smiles a measly 20 times per day. The difference in those numbers is not only sad, but it explains a lot when you really think about it.

Children typically radiate happiness (with the occasional tantrum). Those who have kids or are around them regularly know the energetic value of being around our younger counterparts.

However, most adults do not experience the same level of joy on a regular basis. This could be due to many factors, ranging from chronic stress, fatigue or anxiety, to strongly disliking your job, or even to seasonal mood changes. The bottom line is that adults smile a lot less than children do. The good thing? You have the power to change this.

Some basic benefits of smiling include reduced blood pressure, lower pain levels, improved stress and anxiety, better immune system function and an overall better mood.

Research shows that those who smile more frequently throughout their day tend to be more productive; some studies also report that those who smile more typically live longer and often even make more money.

Happy people tend to have better health and longevity, and research shows that having a happy and positive mood can play an integral role in a healthy lifestyle and recovering from illness or injury.

We all know the infectious power of a yawn: You see one person yawn, and it’s a matter of seconds before you yourself are yawning as well. Well, research shows that smiling is also contagious. But while yawning is an involuntary response to stress or fatigue, smiling is quite different. Sure, smiling can happen involuntarily in response to something that makes you joyful. But it can also be a conscious and intentional choice. This means that whether your smile is “genuine” or not, it can still have plenty of positive effects on your mind and body. So, the next time you see someone who just looks down, don’t underestimate the power that a simple smile could have on turning their whole day around.

Did you know that even forcing yourself to smile can improve your mood? When we smile, it activates neurons in the brain to synchronize, and “the physical act of smiling activates pathways in your brain that influence your emotional state” (Stibich, M., 2024). This means that by moving those corners of your mouth up closer to your eyes, you can quite literally “trick” your brain into a happier state of mind.

The negative effects of stress permeate your entire body; you can usually see it clearly on someone’s face when they are stressed. The good news is that smiling can help to reduce that stress. Remember, even a forced or intentional smile can still have a positive effect on your stress level, give you a mood boost and make that stress you are dealing with seem more manageable.

Try it out! Take note of how you are feeling right now. You may be feeling a little stress or anxiety, a lot of stress or anxiety or you may be feeling totally relaxed.

Whatever the case is for you, now try cracking a smile. Hold it for a few seconds and then relax your face. How do you feel now? My bet is that you’re feeling at least a bit better than you were before.

And don’t spend even a moment of time worrying about someone seeing you smiling to yourself; if anyone asks what you’re doing, just be sure to tell them your newfound info on this secret health hack, and perhaps they’ll start smiling more too.

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Research shows that those who smile more frequently throughout their day tend to be more productive; some studies also report that those who smile more typically live longer and often make more money.

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