Imagine a scenario where you walk up to a total stranger on the street, to ask for direction, but on approaching the person, you noticed he/she is frowning and staring at you with a hard face. What will you do? you'd probably walk away without even speaking to the person, right? Personally, I wouldn't even look at the person twice before bolting away because the person's stern expression did not in any way convey a sense of openness.
What about you? On approaching the stranger, and the person with a light smile on their face asks you if you need help. You'll probably feel comfortable talking to the person because the person has a smile on their face, and a smile, they say, is contagious.
The importance of putting on a smile on our face can never be overemphasized. Our facial expression speaks highly of us and have the power to shape other people's perception about us. For example, A person who constantly frowns might be quickly judged by other people as unfriendly and unapproachable even without getting to know the person well. People find it more comfortable to engage with someone who has a smile on their face than those with a frown, because a smile conveys openness and friendliness.
I remember back then in school, when my classmates and I needed a favor from the school staffs, we always choose to talk to the civics teacher or the school's principal about it because they always have welcoming smiles on their faces. Despite knowing the reason why we proffered those two to the other staffs, I sometimes would tease by classmates by suggesting we go ask for help from the other staffs especially the Igbo teacher or the security personnel at the gate just to know how they would react or respond.
The response would usually be a big "no" and they would rather remain in the classroom with their problem than ask them for help because, these staff's facial expression are not always welcoming, they have that mean stare that tend to scare people, especially students away from them. Even though they can be very playful and friendly, but for someone meeting for the first time, they might easily conclude that they are unfriendly and unapproachable without trying to know them well. That is just to show how our facial appearance can influence people's perception about us.
Additionally, smiling triggers the release of endorphin in the body. Endorphins are chemicals in the body that transmit signal in the body. They serves as natural painkillers in the body and help to ease pain. Not only do they help to ease pain, they play a vital role in regulating moods because they create a sense of relaxation and well-being, no wonder they are tagged the 'feel-good' chemicals.
Smiling also stimulates the release of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, which are associated with feelings of happiness and pleasure.
This improvement in mood can help reduce feelings of sadness, anxiety, or depression.
In essence, wearing a smile not only enhances social interactions and relationships but also has tangible effects on physical and mental health. It serves as a simple yet powerful tool to create positive connections and contribute to a more open and joyful environment.
