Smiling Can Make You Feel Better—Here’s Why
Both smiling and crying are important to your emotional health. While crying helps release deep feelings, smiling can help lighten your emotional load and shift your mindset. You might roll your eyes when someone tells you to “cheer up,” but science and psychology both agree—smiling has surprising benefits.
“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” — Dr. Seuss
Let’s explore 5 powerful reasons why your smile is more than just a facial expression—it’s an emotional superpower.
1. Smiling Lifts Your Mood—Even If It’s Fake at First
Believe it or not, smiling—even when you don’t feel like it—triggers the release of endorphins, the feel-good hormones in your brain. Over time, just the act of grinning can start shifting your emotions. So go ahead, smile with friends or in the mirror—it might just give your day a positive boost.
2. Smiling Makes You More Approachable
When you look cheerful, people feel safer and more drawn to you. Even if you’re not looking to make tons of friends, social connection (even casual) helps ease stress and fight feelings of isolation. Smiling invites small talk, collaboration, and even unexpected kindness.
3. It Makes You Look Younger and More Confident
Smiling naturally relaxes your facial muscles and gives you a friendly glow. It can improve your posture, your energy, and how others perceive you. Confidence often starts from within—but smiling helps it shine through on the outside too. Plus, people tend to reflect the energy you give off—smile, and the world might smile back.
4. Your Smile Is a Gift to Others
How many times have you needed just a small gesture to brighten your day? Your smile might be someone else’s comfort, even if you don’t realize it. A smile can silently say, “You matter,” “I see you,” or “You’re not alone.” Smiles build bridges where words can’t.
5. It’s a Free, Instant Mood Booster
Smiling is free, contagious, and easy to give away generously. Just one genuine smile can lift a room, spark joy in a stranger, or make someone’s day a little easier. Best of all—it doesn’t cost you a thing.
Final Thought: Smile Like You Mean It
Life won’t always give you reasons to smile—but you can give yourself a reason by choosing joy in small, daily moments. Whether you’re smiling at yourself in the mirror, at a classmate, or at a stranger on the street—you’re doing something powerful.
So… what’s your reason to smile today?
Love all of your reasons. I definitely feel better approaching someone with a smile on their face.
I have been trying to smile more i feel down because I am learning to approach life the way I want it to be not always about how it seems
I try to be true to my emotional state. I agree with all of the reasons you listed. I just don’t think people should hide their true emotions behind a smile.
Smiling comes natural in the South. When interacting with others we smile, even with strangers. It makes you feel better than frowning, plus people would say “What’s her problem.”.
Faye Wilkerson, You certainly are correct the southerners smile more ….Everyone can learn to smile.
I love this piece. Smiling more has definitely helped me. It’s so easy to get down and out so know I practices smiling and I do a daily what I’m grateful for list. I also share lots of smiles with my kids. It’s great for their development and for my development as a mom too.
I know when I smile, I feel 100% better. I am glad to know my smile can lift someone else’s mood as well.
I always like to smile, Smiling is my favourite. When you smile, you never know who is falling in love with your smile
I always like to smile, Smiling is my favourite. When you smile, you never know who is falling in love with your smile
Awee I love Dr. Seuss what a great quote! Love this article so empowering and enlightening!
Smiles really can be contagious. These are some awesome reasons to smile more. It’s cool that smiling can lift your mood.
I love this blog post. It’s so true, if you smile more, you become much happier. Those around you do as well. Love it!
In Islam it is said that even a smile is charity. Your reasons really prove why it is so true!
I’m so lucky because I have my smiling face lol. Yes, I agree with you, smile is free and smile can somebody happy. Let’s spread a beautiful smile.. 🙂
I love smiling and all of these reasons to smile are perfect! I especially like the reasoning that it makes you more approachable, I totally agree and since I love meeting new people, this is even more of a reason to smile. 🙂
Lauren Harmon, EVERYONE need to use their facial muscle…Smile Its free and make you feel good.
a great reminder.. sometime smile is the only medicine we ever need
Smiling is contagious. Thanks for sharing this very awesome and inspiring article.
I like the one that smiling can make others happy. I agree. 🙂
I love the message that you’re trying to send out. Smiling is a nice approach, it helps you feel positive.
I’m always smiling… I try to find the humour in everything and love to laugh. Sometimes all it takes is watching a good show, or seeing a friendly face.
I agree! a simple smile and greeting to anyone in the morning will definitely make their day! A great way to increase endorphins aswel!
Smiling is contagious! These are all great reasons to smile. It’s a good facial exercise, too.
Some amazing advice here. I totally agree that smiling is good for your soul and psychologically can make you feel so much better and lift your mood.
Smiling really is the best! I try to smile as much as I can. I know smiling is contagious, so if I can make someone’s day better, that makes me happier!
I try to smile, a LOT. Smiling makes other people feel good and it is contagious.
When you have a receptionist or customer service job, they train you to smile before answering each call. It does actually work.
MsCrookedHalo, I have to take a deep breath and smile before pick up the phone at work too …Great practice.
This is so true, smiling is so important! I love to smile and make others smile as well.
So true, it’s amazing how a smile can brighten someone’s day.
Wonderful wisdom! I love that song “smile though your heart is breaking….” You do just feel better when you smile. Even if you don’t feel well physically or mentally, a smile makes all the difference.
I didn’t know that even a fake smile could put you in a better mood! I’m going to make an effort to smile more, since there are so many benefits.
The effects of smiling when I’m having a really rotten day are totally amazing. And just think of how your smile might effect someone else who is having a worse day than you!
I agree! Nothing makes a person look more approachable than a genuine smile.
I enjoyed reading this post. It reminded me of something my husband says often – a merry heart does good like medicine.
Janeane Davis, Glad you stop by and thank you for your support.
Sweet Post Patrice and I’m definitely going to try to make its habit to smile more! Thanks for sharing!
Yes, I so agree! A smile makes all the difference!!
Great reasons to smile all the time! Sometimes a smile from others is just what we need to brighten up our day!
I agree with all 5 of your reasons! I try to smile all the time because it is inviting and you never know who is watching or who you are uplifting just from a smile. 🙂
I’m definitely a smiler and this post is on point Patrice. Smiling has such a huge impact on our lives and we need to be reminded to do it often.