The power of the genuine smile

The act of smiling, especially when it is an authentic expression of positive emotion, can have a significant impact on our mood and how we perceive the world.

There is research suggesting that activation of the facial muscles associated with smiling can influence our emotional experience.

The Facial Feedback Hypothesis

The idea that our facial expressions can influence our emotions is known as the facial feedback hypothesis.

Some research has explored this by having participants hold a pencil in their mouths in ways that activate or inhibit the smile muscles.

For example, holding a pencil between the teeth horizontally activates the facial muscles involved in smiling.

In one study, people who did this while watching cartoons rated them as more fun compared to those who held the pencil with their lips in a way that did not activate those muscles.

This suggests that facial muscle activation can make the world seem a more pleasant place.

Genuine Smile (Duchenne) vs. Fake Smile

It is important to distinguish between a genuine smile, also known as a Duchenne smile, and a fake or social smile.

The Duchenne smile involves not only the muscles around the mouth. But also those surrounding the eyes, creating small wrinkles or "crow's feet". This type of smile is associated with real happiness.

Subsequent research has qualified that for facial feedback to have a more powerful effect, the muscles involved in a real, full smile need to be activated, not just a partial activation or a forced smile that does not involve the eyes.

The Practice of Smiling with Intention

The practical implication is not holding a pencil in your mouth. It is finding opportunities to genuinely smile in everyday life.

It's about pushing yourself to show that posi