Malaria, HIV, Ebola, Influenza are just some of the most contagious diseases currently known to man. Although these life threatening diseases have the ability to infect millions at a time, there is something out there that is more infectious than any of those previously listed. Known as Sonreír, Aibtisama, Hāsi, Tersenyum, Wéixiào, Ulybka, or Glimlach by the many cultures in the world. It can be caught once eye contact is made with an infected human. Everyday we are sure to encounter someone who’s caught it and sometimes we may catch it for moments ourselves. Once caught, it targets the muscles in the face and some extreme cases become painful. Yes, that’s right! I am talking about your beautiful smile!
Often overlooked and underrated, smiles can do wonders for our psychological well-being. And best of all, they are proven to be contagious. A well timed smile can lighten the mood, influence important decisions, build rapport, provide comfort, confidence and encouragement. Think about the times you’ve gone for an interview or a first date and not greeted the person with a friendly smile. Now think about how many times those interviews or dates went pear shaped pretty fast. I’m sure you see a correlation.
The best icebreaker for any date or interview is a friendly smile. When ordering a coffee or burger, a tip more priceless than your few dollars is a smile. When making requests in our daily lives, it is easy to notice that people are more willing to help those who are appreciative. There is no better way to show appreciation than a smile.
It is natural for us to smile, we’ve been doing it since we were babies. So why suddenly have our “smiles per day” metric plummeted as we grow older? Smiles are associated with happiness, so when we smile, our minds are taken to a realm of happiness. I firmly believe that the more we smile, the less stressed, unproductive and frustrated our lives will be. So next time you feel like your nerves are getting the best of you or words just can’t express how you feel, just remember to take a big breath and smile. You never know who you might infect.
“People seldom notice old clothes if you wear a big smile.” - Lee Mildon
