Smile More
What’s the saying? “Smile and the world smiles back at you.” Well sometimes it doesn’t, but at least you’ll feel better about navigating our world that’s full of both rain and rainbows.
Statistically adults smile less than kids. In fairness, the older we get our naturally pessimistic brain seems to control more of our emotional responses. This means we have to make an effort to retrain our brain to be positive. Smiling more helps us do that.
Most jobs have lots of opportunities to be a little pessimistic for real reasons – in fact, some jobs are all about analyzing or evaluating worst case scenarios.
Therefore, it’s even more important to do things that naturally increase oxytocin – the hormone that boosts trust and empathy while reducing anxiety and stress.
There are lots of ways to increase oxytocin but at work smiling is one that will keep you out of trouble with HR.
Here are three reasons we need to smile more at work:
1. Even fake smiles put us in a better mood
2. Smiles reduces stress
3. Smiling makes us more approachable
Co-workers and customers alike will be happier to interact with a smiling you. But more important you’ll feel happier too.
For more studies linked to smiling more, check out these 11 Reasons You Should Smile Everyday.
