Humans have inbuilt positivity. A natural instinct to be positive, cheerful and smile. The past two years spread insecurity, uncertainty, and fear of the unknown. Isolation led to all kind of mayhem of the mind. While the pandemic era led to mental health problems for many, the post pandemic period led to scepticism and cautiousness. Many people developed a negative mindset. The optimists turned pessimists. Laughter was not from the heart. Stress became commonplace. Of course, we have learnt to live with the pandemic and people are living life king-size more than ever before. Life is back, life is good for now. Businesses are starting to thrive. Revenge binge shopping, eating out and travel is happening again. We are cautious but are ready to face life full on. Man is essentially a social animal, so parties have started, friends hang out together and enjoy interfacing. Offices are slowly opening; most are adopting a hybrid model. Virtual meetings remain the order of the day. But when colleagues or clients meet in what is commonly referred to as ‘physical meetings’ it feels like the good old times, with eyeball-to-eyeball contact. Real interface always wins over virtual interface. That is how, we are all wired!
A smile is one of the best things you can have today. It is a beacon of positivity and is not only good for the person you smile at but for you as well. Let us just look closer at the value of a smile
Why smile?
There are various benefits of smiling. Firstly, a smile lights up like a bulb in a dark room. You spread positivity and happiness in one shot. On the other hand, when you smile, your body releases endorphins into your system. A smile is supposed to bring down your blood pressure and boost your much needed immunity and is a sure shot medicine for a healthier you. Smiling triggers acceptance and trust in others. It opens up a better portal of connect with other people. A smile is also a signal of warmth and happiness. As the old adage goes, you use many muscles to frown but much lesser muscles to smile. Smiling is like a spotlight of happiness!
How do you smile more often?
While a genuine smile is like a light of positivity a fake smile is like a fused bulb! Let us put it this way, the more genuine your smile is, the higher the wattage of the light you emit. However, scientists say that even a fake smile from you triggers the brain to release happiness endorphins!
Your face is a reflection of your soul- therefore a quick fix to boost up your smile quotient is to be happier in life. There are happiness gurus who are much in demand today and charge hefty fees for their services but being happy and content is really up to us as individuals. There are simple steps you can take to create a happiness mindset. (Please read my column in Reputation Today posted on the 4th of April this year titled ‘The magical ‘Happiness Mindset’). The Oxford Dictionary defines happiness as a ‘state of being happy’. Actually, happiness is a positive state of mind. Happiness can be achieved by conscious transformation. Happy human beings create a work life balance and are of course more positive (The are some core steps you can take as explained deeper in my column)
Smile as a token of your greeting
Westerners actually exchange smiles as a token of acknowledgment. Each country has its own culture of smiles, but smiling cuts across cultures, countries and languages. I would like to share my observation of smiling in India. Smiling at each other should be limited to those you know. Restrained smiling is the best or you might be misunderstood!!
“If you’re not using your smile, you’re like a man with a million dollars in the bank and no checkbook.” – Les Giblin
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