Whether your smile shows off every single one of your teeth, is accompanied by a boisterous laugh, or is shy and reserved, its existence is doing good for your mind and body.
According to Psychology Today, smiling releases endorphins that help to lower stress, heart rate, and blood pressure, while also lifting your mood. And this isn’t just anecdotal evidence – it’s science! Basically, your smile is your superpower.
By employing your smile in the workplace, not only will you enjoy your days more, you’ll also boost the moods of those around you. This improvement in the day-to-day workings of your office isn’t the only benefit of smiling, though. Used properly, your superpower will also make a big difference when it comes to closing a sale, mediating a disagreement, or asking for a favour.
“I find that smiles are bringing me dollars, many dollars every day,” wrote Dale Carnegie in How To Win Friends and Influence People. Through the use of his smile, Mr. Carnegie was able to smooth any rough waters he encountered, allowing him to foster stronger relationships and focus on productivity, rather than a sour mood. In fact, smiling was so important to him that Dale Carnegie listed it as his 5th Human Relations Principle.
So the next time you’re having a bad day, struggling with a specific task, or looking to lift the spirits of someone else, use your super power!
“An insincere grin? No. That doesn’t fool anybody. We know it is mechanical and we resent it. I am talking about a real smile, a smile that comes from within, the kind of smile that will bring a good price in the marketplace.” – Dale Carnegie