Smiling has all sorts of benefits. It will enhance your relationships with others, your personal life, and your professional life. Smiling also makes you healthier, happier, and more attractive to others.

Smiling Makes You Happier and Healthier

When you smile, you convey feelings of friendliness and happiness. But the simple act of smiling also improves your mood and your health. That’s because smiling triggers your mind to release chemicals called endorphins.

Endorphins are a type of neurotransmitter that your body uses to counteract stress and pain. That’s why smiling can increase feelings of happiness and reduce your heart rate.

Even when you force yourself to smile, it has a positive effect on your body. Researchers at the University of Kansas came up with a clever way to prove it.

They conducted a study where they had subjects use chopsticks to maintain a smile while performing a difficult task. Afterward, these research subjects had a lower heart rate on average than participants who performed the same task without using the chopsticks.

Smiling for Better Relationships

When you smile at people, you spread goodwill and positive feelings. In fact, almost half of the people you smile at will automatically smile back.

Smiling creates the impression that you’re a nice person who knows what you’re doing. In a survey conducted by Penn State University, respondents rated customer service representatives who smile more often to be friendlier and more effective.

People who smile more often help create a positive atmosphere. This makes people want to be around you, which can enhance your career. That’s why friendly people who smile more often are “likely to earn more money” over the course of their career.

Smiling Makes You More Attractive

When you smile, you’re more attractive to others. Research shows that “both men and women” are rated to be better looking when they smile. Smiling can even make you appear up to three years younger according to one study.