Smiling is contagious!
Once you smile, you can’t stop smiling! Take a look below to find out five curious things about smiling.
1. Smiling can boost your immune system.
Your body is more relaxed when you smile so smiling contributes to overall better health and a stronger immune system. The action of smiling also releases endorphins which in turn reduces your stress and encourages relaxation.
2. Smiling is the universal sign of happiness.
While there are a huge variety of different meanings for hugs and handshakes, smiling is recognised around the world by all cultures as a sign of acceptance and happiness. No matter where you go in the world, anyone will understand that you’re happy or friendly if you smile.
3. Babies are born with the ability to smile.
Scientists believe that newborn babies are born with the ability to smile, whereas other behaviour types are learned through watching other people around them. Newborn babies smile in their sleep almost as soon as they’re born.
4. There are 19 different types of smiles.
A researcher in San Francisco identified 19 different types of smiles that he put into two categories: social smiles and felt smiles. He defined social smiles as those which use fewer muscles than felt smiles, which use more muscles on both sides of the face.
5. Smiling uses 5 to 53 facial muscles.
The action of smiling can require your body to use up to 53 muscles! However, some less sincere smiles only require your face to use 5 muscle movements. Research has shown that the more muscles are used during a smile, the more sincere that the smile is.
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