Even a fleeting smile can sink deep into your subconscious and trigger positive emotions. We smile because we feel good and comfortable — and the wider the smile, the more joyful it appears.
If you smile at least once during the day — or laugh so hard your stomach hurts — your serotonin levels and endorphin production can significantly increase. AdmiGram.com has rounded up a few science-backed facts about smiling that might just make you do it more often.
The Science of Smiling: 5 Reasons to Smile More
A Smile Is More Attractive Than Makeup
© Sam McNamara / Unsplash
A number of studies conducted between 2013 and 2016, including research from the University of Zurich and the University of Bern, found that most people consider a smiling woman without makeup more attractive than a woman who isn’t smiling but is wearing makeup.
There’s more: the muscles we use to smile help lift the face, making a person appear younger. Depending on the smile, between 26 and 43 facial muscles are engaged, which can also improve circulation.
Smiles Are Contagious
This isn’t just a saying — science backs it up. In studies on this topic, people found it very difficult to frown while looking at someone who was smiling. Their facial muscles naturally tended to mirror the expression.
This happens because of the “chameleon effect,” where we unconsciously mimic others’ behavior, or due to empathy — when we subconsciously adopt another person’s emotional state along with their smile.
There Are 19 Different Types of Smiles
© Brendan Beale / Unsplash
Researchers have identified 19 distinct types of smiles, grouped into two categories:
- Social smiles — polite, controlled, and involving fewer muscles
- Genuine (emotional) smiles — more expressive, engaging more muscles on both sides of the face
In other words, not every smile means the same thing — and people are surprisingly good at telling the difference.
A Subtle Smile Builds Trust
Interestingly, the more restrained the smile, the more trust it tends to inspire. Researchers analyzed how smiles in ads and videos influence perception and found that the width of a smile affects how competent a person appears.
The wider the smile, the less likely people were to perceive that person as a serious professional. A calm, subtle smile often signals confidence and reliability.
Smiling Is Good for Your Health
Smiling helps your immune system function better. When you smile, your body relaxes. Numerous studies have shown that laughter has measurable health benefits.
Laughter works like a mini workout: it can burn calories and engage your core muscles. It also improves circulation, lowers blood sugar levels, reduces stress, and helps you sleep better.
On top of that, laughter can increase the production of antibodies that help fight infections, boosting your immune system overall.
A simple smile isn’t just a reaction — it’s a powerful tool for improving your mood, your health, and even how others see you. And the best part? It costs nothing.
image on top: Constantin Panagopoulos / Unsplash
