Smile & Laugh: Simple Ways to Improve Your Mood
Who Can Benefit?
Smiling and laughing can be particularly beneficial for those struggling with low mood or anxiety. These simple actions can help create a sense of calm and positivity.
How to Use Smiling and Laughing to Boost Your Mood
Even when you’re not feeling your best, just relaxing your facial muscles and allowing the corners of your mouth to lift into a smile can help improve your mood. You don’t need to be around others or look in a mirror—just let your face soften into a smile.
For an even greater mood boost, try laughing. It doesn’t matter if nothing funny is happening—just go through the motions of laughter. Your brain doesn’t always distinguish between real and fake laughter, and sometimes pretending to laugh can lead to genuine laughter! If you are finding this difficult, watch funny videos, you favourite comedian or an amusing podcast.
The Science Behind Smiling and Laughing
Smiling and laughing work through a process called biofeedback. When you smile, your brain interprets the movement of your facial muscles as a signal that you’re happy, leading to an actual improvement in mood. Studies show that people who smile tend to perceive situations and other people’s facial expressions as more positive, compared to when they frown. This feedback loop helps reinforce feelings of joy and calm.
Reference
Korb, A. (2015). The Upward Spiral: Using Neuroscience to Reverse the Course of Depression, One Small Change at a Time. New Harbinger Publications.