NEW YORK (Kashmir English): Making a habit of smiling, even without a specific reason, may help improve your mood and reduce stress, according to a study conducted by researchers at Stanford University in the United States.
The researchers reviewed earlier studies examining how facial expressions affect emotions and mental well-being.
One experiment from the 1980s asked participants to hold a pencil between their lips in a way that encouraged either a smiling or frowning expression. The findings suggested that facial expressions could influence how people felt.
According to the researchers, smiling may help people feel calmer, more positive and confident. It may also help reduce mental tension during stressful situations.
The study highlighted the possible role of hormones and brain chemicals in this process. Smiling may influence cortisol, a hormone involved in the body’s stress response, as well as endorphins, dopamine and serotonin, which are linked to mood and positive feelings.
Researchers also noted that smiling during stressful moments may help lower heart rate and ease tension.
However, they stressed that smiling cannot solve every problem. Making it a regular part of daily life may still offer a simple way to support emotional well-being.
