If your IQ is over 150, then you need this EQ Tip.

(Picture by teamstrength.com)

The team and I were talking the other day and we were trying to come up with something that was easy for people to do that would make a big change in their life.
We also wanted to come up with something that would be easy for people to do and that would be easy to implement. But that would also have a big return for their efforts.

So we put our heads together and came up with “Smiling”.
A simple smile can do a lot of things:
  • We’ve seen it change the whole mood in a situation.
  • We’ve seen it calm a situation down.
  • We’ve seen it excite a group or crowd.
  • We’ve seen it make someone feel better at an emotionally down point.
  • We’ve seen it change mindsets and decisions.
There really are very few limits on the things that a smile can’t help with.
For all of you out there who are still skeptical let’s throw out some facts and research to back up our statement.

(Thank You Portman Healthcare for this great infographic.)

Fact #1: You feel better when you smile.
Studies have shown that when a person is truly smiling, it affects certain muscles that actually make you feel happy or joyful. You smile because you are happy and when certain muscles are hit, your brain sends even more happy signals, or endorphin's. Smiling is awesome. Try it.

Fact #2: Smiling is contagious.
When someone is having a bad day, pay them a compliment with a smile. The double-duty mood boosting effect will turn their day around for sure.
Fact #3: You will look more attractive to men when you are smiling, if you are a woman.
Studies have shown that men think women who are not wearing make-up but are smiling are more attractive than those with perfect make-up who were stone-faced. This makes me wonder why runway models never turn their mouths upward.
Fact #4: You will look less appealing as a man when you are smiling, if you are trying to attract a woman.
Oddly enough, the opposite is favored by women in a study by the American Psychological Association who prefer a man to look “brooding.” As a woman, this does not mean you should be rude or angry. The study only looked at initial reactions, not long-term relationship reactions.
Fact #5: It makes you sound friendly.
Smiling when you talk on the phone actually makes you sound more friendly. One thing that is taught to phone reps (or should be if it is not) is to smile when answering the phone to achieve better customer service. Somehow smiling translates into your voice to make you sound happy and engaging.
Fact #6: Those who smile live longer.
It is no secret that our emotional health is tied closely to our physical health. Since smiling means you are happy (and getting happier by the very act of smiling), you will likely live a longer, more relaxed life than those who regularly frown. Smiling actually boosts your immune system and can help you live 7 years longer on average!
Fact #7: You are more likely to get a promotion if you smile always.
Those who smile tend to be thought of as having more confidence and sociable, therefore managers view these people as having what it takes to move up in the workplace.
Fact #8: There are 19 types of smiles.
Researchers were able to categorize 19 different types of smiles into two categories: polite, “social” smiles and those that were genuinely happy smiles. Among the list is the “embarrassed” smile, “genuine” smile and “loving” smile.
Fact #9: People tend to smile more when surrounded by people than alone.
While you may occasionally smile to yourself or laugh at something funny on the television, you are more likely to smile when you have an audience. Scientists tested this principal on ten month old babies and whether or not the audiences were responsive, they smiled much more when being surrounded by others than being alone.
Fact #10: Smiling is a universal sign of happiness.
Language may be a barrier, but facial expressions like the smile, pass through anywhere you travel. (Though this may not be quite true in some foreign countries which hold different values and customs, do check before visiting them.)

Now that we've shared some facts and research with you why don't we give you some tips on what you can do right now to start making your smile better.

Brush Your Teeth:

We know it sounds obvious, but sometimes the obvious things are the things that are most overlooked.  So start by brushing your teeth.  It's always easier to smile when your teeth are clean and you feel like your mouth is fresh.

P.S. - This also helps with your breath so this is really a double win for the price of one.

Be Natural and Use A Mirror To See Your Smile:

First start by relaxing your facial muscles, then in front of a mirror look at yourself and see what you look like.  Then slowly start to smile as you watch yourself in the mirror.  
Pay close attention to how your face feels and what your eyes and the ends of your mouth look like.  
Studies have shown that when you smile the main focus points of your face are on your eyes and the edges of your mouth.  
You want your smile to look authentic not like its forced.  
Also by remembering the way your face feels when you have a good smile it will help you when you don't have the mirror to know how your smile will look to other people.

Think of Something Funny:

To try and get the most natural and authentic smile you can try to think of something funny.  
See how your face smiles right before you are about to laugh? That is the smile you want to give to other people.  
Try this technique a few times and see what you think.  
Again the smile right before you start to laugh is the smile you want to share with other people.

Practice, Practice, Practice:

Remember the old saying "Practice makes Perfect"?  Well in this case it will really pay off for you.  If you don't naturally smile or if this is something that you find challenging then you are going to have to practice this just like any other skill you need to work on.
To smile isn't hard, it becomes a very natural thing for anyone who is willing to put in a little practice.  
Believe me when we tell you that this small thing will make a huge difference in your life.  
It will not only help when you interact with other people face to face, but it will also help you interact with other people even when they can't see you.

In closing:

We hope this post has helped you and given you some good information and tips to try to make your smile better.

Please feel free to share this post with any of your friends or anyone you feel could use these tips for a better smile.

Until next time... Keep Smiling   :)

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