How Can I Smile When You Are Alone? The 25 Correct Answer

facial expression

“Scowl” redirects here. For other uses, see Scowl (disambiguation)

A frown (also known as a scowl) is a facial expression in which the eyebrows are drawn together and the brow furrowed, usually indicating displeasure, sadness, or concern, or more rarely, confusion or concentration. The appearance of a frown varies by culture. An alternative usage in North America is considered to be an expression of the mouth. In those cases, when used iconic, as in an emoticon, it is represented entirely by the curve of the lips forming a curve open downwards. The mouth expression is also commonly referred to in the colloquial English phrase “turn that frown upside down,” indicating that it changes from sad to happy.

Description[edit]

Charles Darwin described the primary act of frowning as the frown that results in raising the upper lip and turning down the corners of the mouth.[1] While the occurrence of a frown varies from culture to culture, the recognition of a frown as a negative facial expression seems to have some degree of generality.[2] In fact, frowning as part of anger or disgust is widely recognized as a universal expression easily recognized across cultures.[3] This universality suggests a common adaptive quality of frowning that allows for social communication of negative emotional states.[4]

Scott Fahlman first suggested using the colon with the left parenthesis to symbolize a sinister face on the Internet, which has become a well-known emoticon.[5] In this form, the frown is fully represented as a curve of the lips away from the eyes. Specifically, frowns that involve the frown are a response to perceived obstacles in achieving goals, while frowns that involve movement of the cheeks reflect an uncomfortable response.[6] Just as smiling alone can make you feel better,[7] frowning can make you feel worse. In a scientific study, participants who scowled at their faces rated images as more uncomfortable than participants who viewed the images with a neutral facial expression.[8] In a similar test, participants reported increased anger with the manipulated expression of a frown, and they rated cartoons they saw as less funny than participants with the manipulated expression of a smile.[9]

Social behavior[edit]

In social situations, the frown is most commonly used to express a range of negative emotions, including anger and resentment. However, there are social differences that determine who is allowed to frown in a given social setting. Socially dominant individuals are more likely to frown than those of lower social status. Individuals with high social status are allowed to express their emotions more freely, while those with low dominance are expected to show signs of belonging. [10] It is considered more socially acceptable for men to display negative emotions than women; Women are also less likely to frown than men.[11] Unlike smiles, frowns don’t appear to be directly socially contagious; seeing someone frown doesn’t necessarily make you frown.[12] However, in one scientific study, participants who were subliminally exposed to frowning faces were more likely to frown when subsequently shown a neutral face.[13] Frowning can also increase counter-empathy responses. When the loser of a competition frowns, it increases brain responses associated with glee at the winner, which may be related to the sense of glee felt at witnessing the misfortune of others.[14] Frowning also contributes to impressions made from even brief encounters with other people. When a 30-second video clip (with no sound) of a frowning college professor is shown, students tend to give the professor poor ratings in assessments.[15]

Worked muscles [ edit ]

It’s a long-held belief that frowning requires more muscle than smiling.[16] It is difficult to pinpoint exactly how many muscles are involved in a smile or frown because there are a variety of facial expressions that can be considered frowns or smiles. At least ten muscles are required to smile with just the upper lip and corners of the mouth lifted.[17] A similarly minimal frown requires only six muscles to lower the corners of the mouth.[17] According to plastic surgeon Dr. However, David H. Song of the University of Chicago Medical Center frowning requires 11 muscles while smiling requires 12.[18] This method of counting the number of muscles used to create a facial expression does not take into account the energy expended by each muscle or the individual variability of facial muscles. While humans share facial muscles to express the universal emotions, some people have more muscles in their face and may use more of it when smiling or frowning.[19]

See also[edit]

References[ edit ]

This article was co-authored by Sandra Possing. Sandra Possing is a life coach, speaker, and entrepreneur based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Sandra specializes in individual coaching with a focus on mindset and leadership transformation. Sandra received her coaching training from The Coaches Training Institute and has seven years experience as a life coach. She has a BA in Anthropology from the University of California, Los Angeles. This article has been viewed 303,325 times.

Article overview

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While it’s often better to be honest about your feelings, there are times when you need to put on a happy face even when you don’t feel it. One of the easiest ways to be happy is to smile. Practice smiling with your eyes, not just your mouth, as this will make your smile look and feel more genuine. At the same time, use open, confident body language. Keep your head up and your shoulders back, and make eye contact. Avoid closed postures such as crossing your arms, crossing your legs, or looking down frequently. If you’re feeling really stressed, practice deep breathing exercises to relax and calm yourself in the moment. For example, try counting to 4 as you breathe in and count to 4 again as you breathe out. Practicing positive self-talk can also help you distract yourself from negative thought patterns when you’re feeling down. If you find yourself thinking something negative or exciting, try to gently redirect your mind to something more positive or realistic. For example: “I’m feeling awful right now, but it won’t last forever. Once this is over, I can go home and relax.” To learn how to get support from those around you, read on!

What is pseudobulbar affect? Pseudobulbar affect is a nervous system disorder that can make you laugh, cry, or get angry without you being able to control when it happens. PBA has also been called: Emotional Dysregulation

Emotional incontinence

emotional lability

Involuntary crying

Pathological laughter and crying

Symptoms of Pseudobulbar Affect If you or someone you love has pseudobulbar affect, you may notice the following: Sudden, intense attacks of crying or uncontrolled laughter

Crying or laughing that doesn’t seem right for the situation

Outbursts of frustration and anger

Facial expressions that don’t match emotions The outbursts can occur several times a day or several times a month. Symptoms are not related to mood. In other words, you may feel happy but start crying and can’t stop. Or you could be sad but start laughing when you shouldn’t. Maybe you just cry or laugh a lot. Some people say the symptoms come on so quickly it’s like a seizure. It’s easy to mistake the symptoms for those of depression or bipolar disorder.

If you have PBA, you may become anxious or embarrassed in public. You might be worried about a future episode and tempted to cancel plans with friends or family. It can also lead to depression or anxiety. When you care for someone who has it, you may feel confused or frustrated. The emotional toll of the condition can severely impact recovery and quality of life. It is important to be treated and treated by a qualified doctor.

Causes of Pseudobulbar Affect Scientists believe that pseudobulbar affect may result from damage to the prefrontal cortex, the area of ​​your brain that helps control emotions. Damage to other parts of the brain, as well as changes in brain chemicals associated with depression and hypermood (mania), may also play a role. An injury or disease affecting your brain can result in a pseudobulbar effect. Other brain disorders commonly associated with PBA are: Alzheimer’s disease

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

brain tumor

dementia

multiple sclerosis

Parkinson’s disease

traumatic brain injury

Source: Shutterstock / arvitalyaa

By Rita Labeaune, Psy.D.

How many people do you think look happy but struggle with depressive thoughts on a daily basis? Typically, depressed people are portrayed as bedridden and unable to act. What may or may not be surprising, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, is that approximately 10 percent of the United States population suffers from depression, which is 10 times more than those suffering from bipolar disorder (1 percent) and schizophrenia ( 1 percent).

Not everyone experiences depression in the same way. Some may not even realize they are depressed, especially if they seem to be getting on with their daily lives. It seems impossible that someone can be smiling, alert, functioning and depressed all at the same time.

In my practice, those who are most surprised when they realize they have some form of depression are those who suffer from “smiling depression.” Most people haven’t even heard the term. The definition of smiling depression is: appearing happy to others, literally smiling, while internally suffering from depressive symptoms. Smiling depression often goes undetected. Those who suffer from it often ignore their own feelings and push them aside. They may not even be aware of their depression or may not want to acknowledge their symptoms for fear of being seen as “weak.”

The hallmark of smiling depression is sadness. The smile and the outward facade are a defense mechanism, an attempt to hide her true feelings. A person might be saddened by a failed relationship, career challenges, or a lack of what they see as true meaning in life. Sadness can also manifest as a constant general feeling that “something just isn’t right.”

Other common symptoms of smiling depression include feelings of anxiety, fear, anger, fatigue, irritability, hopelessness, and despair. Those suffering from this and other forms of depression may also experience trouble sleeping, a lack of enjoyment in pleasurable activities, and a loss of libido. The experience is different for everyone. It is possible to feel only one or more of these symptoms.

Another way to think about smiling depression is to think of it as wearing a mask. People suffering from smiling depression may not give the outside world any indication of their problem. They often have full-time employment, run a family household, play sports and have a fairly active social life. With her mask everything looks great, sometimes even perfect. However, under the mask, they suffer from sadness, panic attacks, low self-esteem, insomnia, and in some cases, suicidal thoughts.

Suicide can pose a particular threat to individuals suffering from smiling depression. Typically, people suffering from classic major depression have suicidal thoughts but don’t have the energy to act on their feelings. However, those suffering from smiling depression have an energetic ability to plan and pull through. For this reason, smiling depression can be more dangerous than a classic form of major depression.

If you or someone you know may be suffering from smiling depression, the good news is that help is available. This is one of the most treatable mental health problems. Whether through counseling or psychotherapy, it is possible to successfully come out of this state of mind and be relieved of the sadness. Your loved one or close friend who you suspect may be suffering from smiling depression may deny it and possibly even react negatively when you first bring up the topic. That is normal. Often people are unaware of smiling depression, and the word “depression” may sound too extreme. Keep in mind that they may see help as a sign of weakness or something only needed by severely disturbed individuals.

Aside from counseling or psychotherapy, those affected can begin to open up to those around them. Choosing a close family member, friend, or confidante and making a habit of discussing feelings and concerns can help relieve symptoms. It’s important not to worry about being a burden. Sometimes we forget that the people around us would love to support us just as much as we would do for them. Opening and sharing feelings is a key element in managing depressed thoughts.

As long as you continue to deny or avoid what makes you empty, solving the problem will be nearly impossible. If depressed thoughts and feelings aren’t addressed, they usually build and get worse. The most important thing is to reach yourself.

Rita Labeaune, Psy.D., is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Beverly Hills. She treats adults struggling with smiling depression and other forms of depression, anxiety, and mood disorders.

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

We’ve all heard about the importance of smiling every day. In fact, even a forced smile can positively affect a person’s mood. In tests, those who smiled showed a lower heart rate than those who maintained a neutral facial expression.

But you don’t have to force a smile every day to put yourself in a good mood. There are things you can do to both create a natural smile and improve the overall quality of life. Here are 15 ways to make yourself smile every day.

1. Start your day with nature.

Studies have found that exposure to the sun naturally lifts a person’s spirits, so consider taking your cup of coffee to the patio. Instead of checking email on your phone, spend time enjoying the scenery in front of you. You’ll probably find that it naturally brings a smile to your face.

Also Read: 5 Easy & Effortless Morning Routines to Get You Started Tomorrow

2. Go to the gym.

Whether you wake up half an hour earlier or take a lunch break, the endorphins released by exercise can instantly lift your spirits. If the gym isn’t an option, take the stairs instead of the elevator, or walk to your morning meeting.

3. Visit the humorist’s office.

Every office has one. Make a stop at your funniest co-worker’s office when you need to lift your spirits. A five-minute conversation can make all the difference. Personally, I call my friend and fellow entrepreneur writer John Rampton for a funny laugh all the time.

4. Do something good for yourself.

Often we spend so much time doing things for others that we forget to help ourselves. Do small things for yourself, like grabbing your favorite coffee on the way to work or reading a good book over lunch.

5. Do something nice for someone else.

It has been shown that people who volunteer are happier than those who don’t. Even if you don’t have time to do charity work on a regular basis, you can improve your overall quality of life by doing small things for other people.

6. Count your blessings.

You’ve probably heard the advice to write down the things you’re grateful for each day in a gratitude journal. It turns out there’s science behind the advice, but only up to a point. One study found that people who wrote these things down once a week were actually happier than those who wrote them down more often.

See also: 3 reasons why you should adopt an attitude of gratitude

7. Listen to music.

When you drive to work every day, you probably think of your car radio as background music. It can actually be a great way to cheer you up for the day. Make a playlist of your favorite music and turn up the volume every morning.

8. Take the scenic route to work.

Instead of hitting the same route to and from work every day, occasionally mix them up. Avoid the interstate and take back roads. It might add a few minutes to your commute, but it will be worth it.

9. Eat a delicious meal.

Whether you’re taking time out in the morning to prepare a full breakfast or having a great lunch at your favorite restaurant, enjoying your favorite foods can boost your day. You will also have something to look forward to every day.

10. Stay away from social media.

Checking your social media accounts first thing in the morning can be detrimental to your overall well-being. Research has found that people who use Facebook experience negative emotions associated with their time online.

11. Keep laughter-triggers nearby.

In addition to the work reminders and notes posted around your workspace, keep items that make you smile. Photos of your loved ones, drawings of your children, or birthday cards from friends and family can bring smiles when you need them most.

12. Watch funny clips.

There’s a reason cat videos are so popular. Find what makes you laugh and find videos to watch whenever you need a pick-me-up.

13. Read something funny.

There’s no shortage of ways to get a joke delivered to you every day, whether you subscribe to an email joke-a-day service or buy a daily tear-off calendar. These services can be a great way to get the smile you need.

14. Chat with strangers.

You may not be a morning person, but you’d be surprised how much small talk with a stranger can help. Saying “good morning” to a stranger in the elevator could turn into a conversation that lifts your spirits completely.

15. Spend time with loved ones.

Despite your many accomplishments, your family is your greatest achievement. You are likely to smile more when you are with your spouse and children than at any other time of the day, so this time is extremely valuable.

Just a smile can reduce stress and lead to a more productive day and increased well-being. By finding ways to put a smile on your own face every day, you’ll appear less stressed to co-workers, too, thereby making a better impression on everyone you meet.

See also: Richard Branson on smiling as a competitive advantage

GETTY The top 50 things that are most likely to make you smile include a cup of tea and seeing an old friend

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Hearing some good news, getting a thank you from someone, and doing something to make someone else laugh or smile are also on the list. Eating home cooking, jumping into a bed with freshly laundered sheets, finding a ten pound note in an old pair of trousers and watching a funny video online completed the top ten. The poll, commissioned by Tetley on World Smile Day to launch his International Smile Challenge for cleft lip and palate charity Smile Train, also found that the average Brit smiles 13 times and laughs three times a day and spends more than four hours a day feeling genuinely happy.

They are also brought to tears of laughter twice a week.

As the old saying goes, it takes less muscle to smile than to frown at Kate Diver

The survey of 2,000 adults found that despite uncertain times, most Britons consider themselves “glasses half full” and spend half of the average week feeling happy. Kate Diver from Tetley said: “A cup of tea can make you smile and research shows it really is the little things that make a difference.” Getting your hair done or enjoying a cuddle can be anything what it takes to cheer up the average Brit.

GETTY number 25 on the list – old folks holding hands

“As the old saying goes, it takes less muscle to smile than it does to frown, so we’re challenging the nation to take on the Smile Challenge, share your experience, challenge others to participate, and help us raise a million smiles in support.” awaken from Smile Train.” Slipping into a pair of jeans you thought were too small, seeing old people holding hands and winning £10 in the lottery are also on the list. The same goes for noting that Their children have done well in school, hearing a youngster’s first word and getting an impromptu kiss from them, and Britons regularly express their mood on social media, with the average adult using the smile emoji three times a day ‘ and once used the emoji ‘sad’ or ‘crying’. Still, nine out of ten Brits think we should smile more. The stats emerged as the smi le Challenge approached their first milestone of 100,000 smiles collected. The technology customizes playlists based on what makes users smile the most, with 10,000 users already participating. From funny animals to party bugs, the Smile Challenge features a selection of YouTube’s funniest video playlists for challengers to enjoy. The software tracks how often they smile and the results are added to a totalizer set with the goal of raising one million smiles for charity.

The science of smiles, real and fake

Enlarge this image Paige Vickers for NPR Paige Vickers for NPR

The idea that you can smile your way to happiness is an enduring one.

Back in the 19th century, Charles Darwin was one of the first to come up with what modern scientists have developed into the “facial feedback hypothesis”. That’s the idea that smiling can make you happier and frowning can make you sadder or angry — that changing your facial expression can intensify or even change your mood.

Dick Van Dyke sang about the phenomenon – and so did Nat King Cole. And it’s still taught in psychology classes today.

But researchers are now finding that this phenomenon may be more complicated than they once thought. A recent study that reviewed roughly 50 years of data, including the results of nearly 300 experiments testing the theory of facial feedback, found that if smiling increases happiness, it’s only a tiny bit.

“I know when I’m sad and people tell me to smile, it only makes me angrier.”

After adding up all the numbers, the researchers say their results suggest that if 100 people smiled — all the rest of them the same — only about seven could expect to feel happier than if they hadn’t smiled.

The study also looked at the effects of a range of other facial expressions, including scowling and frowning, and attempted to understand more generally how positive facial expressions evoke positive emotions and negative facial expressions evoke negative emotions.

In each case, “the effects were extremely small,” says Nick Coles, a social psychologist with a Ph.D. Candidate at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, who led the study. The findings, published in the June issue of Psychological Bulletin, add to a debate that “has been going on for at least 100 years — since the dawn of psychology,” says Coles.

This debate about whether the simple act of shaping your facial muscles into the shape of a smile can make you happier has become particularly heated in recent years. In another study published in 2016, 17 labs around the world failed to replicate pioneering research that originally showed a link between smiles and emotions.

This original study, published in 1988, found that people who were told to hold a pen between their teeth — and force their faces into the shape of a smile — rated cartoons as funnier than those who had a pen between theirs Lips held to make a pout face. The participants didn’t realize they were smiling or sulking — they thought they were testing methods for people with disabilities to write.

“It was the first study to show that smiling can affect emotions, even when participants were unaware that they were actually smiling,” explains Coles.

So it was a big blow when so many labs couldn’t reproduce the results. When researchers in Israel ran the experiment again in 2018, they were able to replicate the results—as long as the participants weren’t observed or filmed.

“It gets complicated,” says Paula Niedenthal, a psychologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, who was not involved in the recent research.

One reason for the different results could be that there are many different types of smiles, says Niedenthal. “Not every smile is a genuine smile of joy.”

Some smiles are sarcastic – more like grins. Some smiles are beaming. Others grin. There are subtle differences in the dynamics of each expression, and they’re difficult to recreate in a lab—with or without the help of a pen.

Additionally, while most laboratory studies have found that smiling doesn’t hurt, recent research has found that habitually forcing your facial expressions into the shape of a smile can have negative effects over time.

For example, another study published earlier this year found that service workers who felt compelled to smile for customers all day were at higher risk of drinking heavily after work. That may be because disgruntled employees who are forced to serve with a smile are unlikely to wear a genuine, joyful grin, the researchers say.

“We should at least continue to deal with this area,” says Niedenthal. All in all, cumulative research seems to indicate that facial expressions have some impact on emotions. All that remains to be done, she says, is teasing out the mechanisms and subtleties.

In the meantime, maybe hold back on telling people to turn their frowns upside down, Coles advises.

“Because I know when I’m sad and people tell me to smile, it only makes me angrier,” he says. And as far as the research shows, “smiling won’t make much of a difference in your life.”

Do you want to know how to enjoy life more? Some people believe they have to do things to enjoy life:

To earn more money

Do you have the perfect relationship or friends

Get respected or famous

However, many people have these things and more and are still unhappy.

The Vietnamese monk and “father of mindfulness”, Thích Nhất Hạnh, wrote: “There are so many conditions of happiness – more than enough to be happy right now.”

But if there are so many things to enjoy in life, why not enjoy every day?

Because learning how to enjoy life takes practice.

We need to cultivate a positive mindset, develop good habits, and fill our lives with meaning. Still, there’s probably no better skill to practice than learning how to live life to the fullest, right?

Here are 20 things you can do to enjoy life more.

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1. Practice gratitude

It is impossible to be grateful and unhappy at the same time. It’s that simple. Try it and you’ll see what I mean.

No wonder many scientific studies have found that gratitude can improve self-esteem, reduce negative emotions like envy, and reduce the risk of major depression. Grateful people also tend to take better care of their health, exercise more, sleep better, and have fewer stress hormones.

So if you want to learn how to enjoy life, start practicing gratitude.

For example, you could start a gratitude journal, or just start each day by writing down three things you’re grateful for, such as, “Today I’m grateful for this nice cup of coffee in my hands, the book I’m reading this.” teaches me so much and my adorable cat.”

2. Work on mindfulness

Mindfulness is the act of being fully present and aware of where you are, who you are with, and what you are doing—without being distracted by thought, judgment, or emotion.

Or as the spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle puts it: “Wherever you are, be completely there.”

When we learn to enjoy the moment, we can become calm, focused, and happy.

To practice mindfulness, start by removing things that distract you from your surroundings, like social media, television, and music. Then calm your thoughts by not paying attention to them and instead focus your attention on your breathing.

You can also practice mindfulness by learning to enjoy the simple things in life, such as:

Walk in nature and observe the sights and sounds

Do some exercise and feel your body

Enjoying the little things like a cup of tea or a hot shower

3. Put yourself first

It’s hard to enjoy life every day if you never put your own needs first.

If you want to feel content and peaceful, you need time to relax, have fun, be productive, discover new things, and build healthy relationships.

So the next time someone asks you to do something you don’t want to do, consider saying no. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be kind or help others. It just means that you must take care of your own needs first.

Protect your time and energy. You deserve it.

4. Be kind to yourself

We all make mistakes and sometimes miss the mark. In these moments, be kind to yourself. What happened, happened. There is nothing you can do about the past except learn from it. This can be incredibly difficult at first, but it gets easier with practice.

Look closely and you’ll find that you deserve to be happy no matter who you are, what you’ve done, or where you’re going. You deserve to be happy just because you are alive.

Allow yourself to be happy and at peace in this moment.

5. Rest and recover

It’s quite difficult to learn how to live life to the fullest when you’re tired, burned out, or stressed.

We all need time to rest and recover.

However, there is so much going on in modern times – we have to work, study, do housework, keep up with COVID-19, manage our finances, take care of families and much more.

“It is very important that we relearn the art of resting and relaxing,” writes Thích Nhất Hạnh. “Not only does it help prevent the onset of many diseases that develop from chronic tension and worry, it allows us to clear our minds, focus, and find creative solutions to problems.”

So take the time to learn how to relax and enjoy life.

For example, you could take a quick nap, read a good book, go for a short walk, or even take a weekend trip somewhere quiet.

6. Celebrate small victories

Nowadays, social media can fool us into believing that life is about jumping from one experience or achievement to another. But life is not made of achievements or experiences – it is made of the moments between them.

Don’t just celebrate milestones – after all, they only happen once per mile. Instead, learn to enjoy life by celebrating every step of the way.

For example, don’t just enjoy exam results and business gains — enjoy every hour you spend studying and every happy customer you serve.

7. Invest in yourself

Investing in our personal development is an act of self-love.

When we do this, we prioritize our well-being. We also develop our sense of self, which breeds self-compassion, acceptance, and happiness.

Look for ways to improve and enjoy the process.

For example, you could enroll in a free online class, journal, workout, meditation, or self-development book.

8. Cultivate positive relationships

Having positive relationships in our lives is essential to feeling truly happy and content.

In fact, the largest happiness study ever found that “spending time with other people made study participants happier in everyday life.”

So work on improving your relationships with your close friends and family.

To help you with this, you may want to learn more about the five love languages, which are different ways people show and interpret love. Understanding both your language and that of your loved ones can improve your relationships.

9. Meet new people

Not everyone has many close relationships in their lives. Also, sometimes we can outgrow friendships and need to make new connections to take their place.

Remember that community and connection are essential to our happiness and well-being.

However, with COVID-19 forcing so many people to self-isolate, making new friends has only gotten harder. However, it is still possible to make new friends online with the help of social media platforms, Facebook groups and online course communities.

Start interacting with others online about a shared passion and enjoy the refreshing perspectives and personalities that will become part of your life.

10. Consume less news and social media

Perhaps one of the easiest ways to enjoy life more is to reduce the negativity in our lives — and one of the easiest ways to do that is to consume less news and social media.

“Constantly reading the news can be harmful because constant exposure to negative information can affect our brains,” says Annie Miller, MSW, LCSW-C, LICSW.

Additionally, a new study published in the Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology concluded that social media has negative effects on well-being — most notably depression and loneliness.

So cut off some of the negativity and keep your attention on things that uplift you.

You can even use a tracking app to understand how you spend your time on social media and news sites.

11. Try new things

Trying new things and exploring new places can invigorate our senses and broaden our perspectives.

Is there something you’ve always wanted to do or learn? Is there a place you’ve always wanted to go to?

Write a list of places you want to visit, activities you want to do, and things you want to learn. Include some big things like B. Becoming your own boss, and small things like e.g. B. Takeout at a restaurant you always see but have never been to.

Then plan some of these things in your calendar! Start small with quick wins and work your way up to the big items.

12. Get rid of clutter

You know what they say: “Clear room, clear mind.”

It’s no secret that a cluttered home can be stressful and cleaning takes longer. On the other hand, clean and tidy spaces can help us feel calm and relaxed. Also, we can earn extra money by selling our unwanted stuff.

If you want to get rid of some clutter, set aside some items to donate. You can also set yourself a challenge, e.g. B. Add an item to Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist every day.

13. Spend money on experiences, not possessions

Studies show that experiences make us happier than possessions.

Why? The initial joy of acquiring something new fades over time. However, experiences continue to bring joy through memories.

So next time you want to spend money to feel joy, why not spend the money on an unforgettable trip or experience instead?

And hey, if you’re running out of ideas during COVID-19, there’s always Airbnb Online Experiences!

14. Exercise regularly

Everyone knows exercise improves health – but can it help us enjoy life today? You bet.

“Research shows that exercise can be the most reliable happiness enhancer of all activities,” writes positive psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky in The How of Happiness.

Whether you walk, run, lift weights, or exercise, make some time each day to move and enjoy a little more each day.

15. Spend time in nature

Science has proven what we all intuitively know: Spending time in nature improves our health and happiness.

For example, one study found that walking in nature improves our mood and lowers cortisol levels — also known as “the stress hormone.”

If you’re feeling down, take a walk in the park, have a picnic with friends, read under a tree, or paint a landscape. Whatever you do, get back to nature more often.

16. Track your time

Sometimes, before we can learn to enjoy life more, we must first understand where our time goes.

When your days seem to fly by and you’re not enjoying them, keep an activity journal to track how you’re spending your time.

You may be surprised at what you discover.

As we become more conscious of how we spend our time, we often find ways to cut down on time-consuming activities and use the extra time for things we enjoy.

17. Cultivate purpose

Without a meaningful purpose to help guide us, it can be difficult to feel safe, productive, and valued.

British Prime Minister Winston Churchill once said, “It is not enough to have lived. We should be determined to live for something.”

Whether you’re driven to help others be the best person they can be or fighting climate change, try to develop a purpose that gives you direction and helps you enjoy life more .

18. Contribute to others

You can combine the positive effects of good relationships and a strong purpose by finding ways to serve others.

For example, you could volunteer for a local charity or help an elderly neighbor with chores. Look for opportunities on a site like VolunteerMatch or check out this list of virtual volunteer opportunities.

Alternatively, if you are short on time, you can find small ways to help others each day. For example, you could donate items to charity, let someone in a hurry go ahead of the checkout at the grocery store, or pick up a coffee and sandwich for a less fortunate person.

19. Get rid of destructive habits

It’s pretty hard to learn how to live life to the fullest while living under the dark cloud of a destructive habit or addiction.

Whether it’s alcohol, procrastination, pornography, food, sugar, TV, social media, or gossip, destructive habits drain us and bring out the worst in us.

Be honest with yourself about your vices and consider seeking help to overcome them.

It may take a while for these clouds to clear, but rest assured that you will enjoy your life more when they do.

20. Commit to mastering something

Learning something new can be fun and interesting, but the initial excitement often wears off quickly.

On the other hand, there is a deep sense of joy, pride, and contentment when we learn to master something.

Whether it’s playing the guitar, cooking, or running Facebook ad campaigns, you can find fun in slowly mastering a topic, skill, or hobby that interests you.

And hey, you never know where the championship will take you!

Frequently asked questions about enjoying your life

Can mindfulness make you happier?

Mindfulness can make you happier by helping you be “in the moment” more often. It’s easy to spend hours—or days, or years—thinking about past mistakes. It’s just as easy to spend hours worrying about the future. Mindfulness helps you be present with the moment and with yourself.

How does clutter affect your life?

Physical disorder can lead to mental disorder. For example, a disorganized closet can make each morning stressful. By reducing clutter, you can create a calm, clean environment—which your mind can reflect. On the practical side, you may also find unused items for sale.

Summary: How to enjoy your life and your job

Learning how to enjoy life takes practice and effort, but the rewards will always be worth the effort. Here are 20 things you can practice to enjoy more every day:

Practice Gratitude Work on Mindfulness Put Yourself First Be Kind to Yourself Celebrate Small Victories Rest and Recover Invest in Yourself Cultivate Positive Relationships Meet New People Consume less news and social media Try new things Get rid of clutter Spend money on experiences, not possessions Exercise regularly Spend more time in nature Track your time Cultivate purpose Cultivate contribution to others Break destructive habits Commit yourself to master something

How do you plan to practice enjoying life more? Do you have any tips on how to start enjoying life? Let us know in the comments below!

The content of this article is not a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always consult your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing or stopping any medical treatment.

This article was co-authored by Traci Halvorson and wikiHow contributor Amy Bobinger. Traci Halvorson is a modeling agent, former model and owner of Halvorson Model Management (HMM) in San Jose, California. HMM is a licensed full-service talent agency representing over 300 professional models and actors. With over 25 years of experience in the modeling industry, Traci specializes in scouting, managing, consulting and launching modeling careers in the Bay Area. Traci has a BA in Public Relations & Business Management from San Jose State University and also specializes in marketing, image consulting and is a certified life-career coach. This article has been viewed 169,169 times.

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It can be easy to tell the difference between a fake smile and a real smile. So if you want to master a fake smile, you need to make it as realistic as possible. Start by relaxing your face, then curl the corners of your mouth up. You should feel the smile expand into your cheeks, which naturally opens your lips a little. Since a natural smile makes your whole face shine, raise your eyebrows a bit while narrowing your eyes slightly. To avoid straining, place the tip of your tongue behind your upper front teeth. Another way to fake a smile is to think of a happy memory or a funny joke. To learn how to practice your fake smile, read on!

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by Aaliah Dhorat, Class 10, Batley Grammar School, West Yorkshire.

“Making one person smile changes the world…maybe not the whole world, but their world.”

Smiling is contagious, you can catch it like the flu; Today someone smiled at me and I started smiling too. Smiling is like a virus; It is contagious like other viruses and spreads from person to person. It comes in many forms, even reading, so this essay on smiling should improve your mood (thinking about smiling releases endorphins in your brain, so your mood improves slightly). Seriously, while reading this essay, try not to smile, even a little…

People usually smile when they are comfortable. When you experience positivity, neural signals travel from your cortex to your brainstem. Then the brain muscle relays the signal to the smiling muscles on your face. Sound easy? But that’s just the beginning… as soon as the smiling muscles on your face contract, there’s a positive feedback loop going back to your brain, reinforcing your good feelings. In short, smiling occurs when our brain feels good, it sends messages to our facial muscles telling us to smile, and we smile and tell our brain we feel good, and so on. Additionally, the chemicals make you healthier, so smiling may be just as good as exercise.

Smiling has already changed the world: The theory of evolution (arguably) proves that humans descended from apes. When a monkey bares its teeth, flattens its ears, and tenses its neck muscles, it’s because it’s scared and preparing for a fight, so it wants to induce the same feelings of fear in its opponent. However, when a person bares their teeth, flattens their ears, and tenses their throat muscles, it is a friendly gesture or to show that they are feeling pleasant emotions. How did this strange evolutionary divergence come about? How did flashing fangs evolve into smiling? The main evidence comes from “missing link” facial expressions from evolution.

What I find confusing about smiling is that people who are born blind smile the same as people who are in the same situations as sighted people; It’s surprising considering they’ve never seen a smile. This proves that smiling has become a natural response to pleasant feelings. In other words, you don’t have to learn how to smile; Smiling is a preprogrammed behavior.

Did you know that smiling stimulates our brain’s reward mechanisms in a way that even chocolate, a respected treat-maker, can’t match? Another interesting fact is that a recent study concluded that smiling can be as energizing as receiving up to £16,000 in cash; Therefore, those who smile about 62 times a day theoretically feel like millionaires!

Have you ever caught yourself having a bad day and in the worst mood, but then accidentally smiled and lifted your spirits when you spoke to someone who was smiling or saw someone smiling? According to various studies, smiling is “contagious”, which supports the rumor. When you see a smile, your orbital frontal cortex, which processes sensory rewards, activates. So if you catch another person smiling, you feel rewarded, which is a good feeling and makes you smile!

Research also shows that when you smile, your mood improves instantly, even when you’re in a bad mood, as the simple action of smiling is enough to trigger happy chemicals. don’t believe me Try it. The next time you find yourself in a serious argument, smile and watch the other person’s mood change and brighten a little. Next time you’ve received bad news, smile and patiently wait a few moments while you train your brain to improve your mood. Next time you burst into tears, just smile and brighten your mood.

In summary, according to evolution, a smile has already changed the world and will continue to change the world because one of the most powerful things that the world shares is the universal smile. A smile can break through all barriers. It knows no prejudices. No matter who or where you are, your smile will always be understood. A smile represents something greater. It represents benevolence, affection and openness. It wordlessly communicates happiness and acceptance. It connects and embraces us all.

“Keep smiling” may not be the best advice or coping strategy for some people, a new study suggests.

The researchers found that smiling a lot actually makes people feel worse if they’re somehow faking it – grinning even though they’re feeling down. When people force themselves to smile in hopes of making themselves feel better, or just to hide their negative emotions, this strategy can backfire.

Conclusion of the study: According to the researchers, whether a broad grin is detrimental to emotional well-being depends on the motivation behind it. [Secrets of Smiling: 5 Things Your Smile Says About You]

“People smile most often when they’re happy because smiling reflects happiness,” said Anirban Mukhopadhyay, associate professor of marketing at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. “However, people also smile when they are unhappy, to cover up negative emotions or to try to be happy.”

In the latter scenario, people may associate smiling not only with feelings of happiness but also with feelings of unhappiness, he said.

In the study, the researchers conducted three experiments in which they looked at how often people smiled and the motivation behind their facial expressions. In one experiment, 108 people filled out surveys asking how often they smiled on the day of the experiment and whether they thought people usually smile to make themselves feel good or to force themselves to smile to feel good. Participants also filled out questionnaires that measured how satisfied they were with their lives.

In another experiment, the researchers recruited a group of 63 people and showed them funny pictures that the researchers said they would test for future studies. They asked participants to smile if they actually found the pictures funny.

And in the third experiment, the researchers asked 85 people to list situations in which they smiled because they felt happy. Investigators asked participants to perform facial muscle exercises, during which they were told to manipulate their facial muscles to create a smiling or non-smiling shape. They then examined the participants’ life satisfaction.

When the researchers analyzed the results of the three experiments, they concluded that the people in the study who didn’t usually smile when they were happy felt worse when they smiled frequently, while the people who smiled often felt worse When they were happy, they felt better when they smiled frequently.

“In general, we think that making people smile with a guilty conscience and make them feel worse could backfire because they might interpret the smile as trying to be happy,” Mukhopadhyay said.

“Frequent smiles would remind them not to be happy,” he said, advising that the best strategy in such cases might actually be not to smile until the negative emotion is making a person feel bad , is solved.

So who should smile as much as possible and who shouldn’t?

People who smile frequently due to their naturally cheerful personality should feel free to just keep smiling, as it can actually make them feel better, Mukhopadhyay recommended. However, people who don’t grin naturally should remember that for them, smiling is probably just “an attempt at happiness,” he said.

“In practice, I think people can reflect on their own beliefs about smiling, see how it makes them feel, how often they smile, and adjust either their beliefs or their behavior to make them feel better,” he said he.

The study was published in the July issue of the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology.

Follow Agata Blaszczak-Boxe on Twitter. Follow us on @livescience, Facebook and Google+. Original article published on Live Science.

I feel like everyone needs a smile. I know I am! There’s something so raw and contagious about seeing others smile. The more I looked through some of our images, the more intrigued I became by the actual science of a smile. What makes us smile and what effect does smiling have on us?

smiling with eyes. Photo: @jkf_man

Research is a wonderful thing and there is a lot of research when it comes to smiling. Fortunately, everything is extremely positive. Finding some good smiles in pictures of the past, present and future, I really can’t help but smile, really smile, with true contagion and a surge of endorphins.

So what is the true power of a smile and which smile has the best impact? Is it a smile with the eyes, cheeks, mouth alone or to show sincerity, contentment, excitement, joy, kindness, cheerfulness and more? The benefits, it seems, are great for all.

contagious happiness. Photo: @jkf_man. Model: Bola

Smiling is really good for us. It has health benefits, makes those around us happy and makes us look younger! We were born to smile. In fact, as young babies, we smile in the womb and while we sleep. So it is life that teaches us not to smile, and in this sense we can also train ourselves to smile more! That’s a satisfying truth.

friendliness and joy. Photo: @jkf_man. Model: @beckyfrench_ @turnbull_asser

According to renowned smile expert Ron Gutman, Darwin explains that smiling itself actually makes us feel better, rather than smiling just being the result of feeling good. Smiling releases endorphins, natural pain relievers, and serotonin, three neurotransmitters that keep us feeling good from head to toe. These natural chemicals elevate our mood, relax our bodies, and relieve physical pain. Think of smiles as a natural drug.

Gutman goes on to say that a single smile is as stimulating to our brain as eating 2,000 bars of chocolate or winning 16,000 pounds. Wow!

beautiful laugh. Photo: @janelookerphotography. Model: Ivy

The act of smiling helps the human immune system function more effectively by both reducing stress and improving your immune function as a result of relaxation. In today’s world, that can only be a good thing.

Company. Photo: @jkf_man. Models: Connor & Tarique.

Smiling is also said to make us all more attractive and make us look younger. Quit the facelift and just try to smile your way through the day. The muscles we use to smile lift our faces up and make us appear (and feel) younger.

Friendship. Photo: @amiemilne. Models: Aminat & Chiara

make someone smile

Finally, and importantly, you can personally reap the benefits of smiling, but you also have the power to influence those around you with the simple act of a smile. A smile is proven to be contagious, whether it’s offered to family, friends, or even strangers. It costs nothing and brings so much! If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that community and family are vital to survival and a smile for a stranger can affect them in more ways than we can imagine. Testing my research last week, I smiled at a lady while she was shopping for essentials, who then struck up a conversation with me and my son. We chatted for 15 minutes and when we said goodbye she thanked us and said it was the longest conversation she had had with anyone since March! Now that I’m complaining about the home schooling and all-out juggling that is my current circumstance, I feel blessed to have company, noise and chaos around me. With that in mind, I’ve committed to smiling big enough for strangers to see on my masked face, with wrinkles in my eyes and the power to conquer loneliness, ease heartbreak, evoke joy and make someone’s day better to change. As Mother Teresa says, “I will never understand all the good that a simple smile can do.”

Happiness. Photo: @jkf_man. Models: Kavya

Click here to make someone smile