this post was submitted on 24 Oct 2026
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Cracking a smile regularly may be good not just for your mood but for your health (apnews.com)
submitted 1 week ago by MicroWave@lemmy.world to c/health@lemmy.world
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Reminding yourself to smile often can not only make more friendships but it can also make you feel better.

And rather than wait for a reason to smile, just making the physical change of literally turning that frown upside down could impact emotions, according to experts. Research backs up the fact that smiling goes a long way.

Some older research has focused on this “facial feedback hypothesis,” according to Jeanne Tsai, a longtime psychology professor at Stanford University who runs the Culture and Emotion Lab. In one classic study in the late 1980s, researchers would have subjects put a pencil between their lips and adopt a smile or a frown while viewing a positive movie clip like a cartoon. Some subjects who smiled would feel the sensation of the smile more and be more amused.

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[–] 404found@lemmy.zip 6 points 1 week ago (2 children)

I read about this before. There was a 3 month period where I absolutely hated my job. I hated driving there and I hated being there. Before work everyday I would smile before I opened the door to go into work because being there was still my choice and I didn't want to look as miserable as I felt.

Forcing a smile everyday didn't do sh$t. I was still angry and hated every second of my job. I guess it doesn't work for everyone.

[–] Broadfern@lemmy.world 4 points 1 week ago (1 children)

It’s called “masking” and it doesn’t change your situation for the better at all because it’s adhering to idiots’ social expectations at the expense of authenticity.

A good bitch session every now and then in an appropriate context can help, though. Swearing is also proven to be good for you :)

[–] Overthr0w@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Worked for me, might just be placebo though. I didn't literally smile before leaving the house. I just tried to guide my face into smiling a bit more than I was feeling, just enough to not feel like like I'm forcing it.

[–] 404found@lemmy.zip 1 points 5 days ago

Must have been my mindset then