“When you’re smilin’
keep on smilin’.
The whole world
smiles with you.” 
Louis Armstrong

On this, the last day of May, we celebrate (believe it or not) National Smile Day in the United States. In one sense, it’s sad that we need to designate a particular day of the year to encourage people to smile more. Then, again, maybe the day is intended to celebrate the reality that there are many people who already do smile every day. Either way, to bring national attention to the benefits of smiling is a good thing.

Like so many other things in life, most of us, myself included, often take smiling for granted. We smile at some people, but not at others. Some others smile at us, but not everyone. That’s just how it goes. Might we be more conscientious about smiling if we were reminded of the tremendous benefits of doing so?

Let’s begin with first impressions. It is said that we only get one opportunity to make a good first impression, therefore, these initial meetings are crucial to our personal and professional lives. A warm, welcoming smile, whether at a job interview or when meeting a new neighbor, is a valuable tool for making that positive first impression.

Smiling enhances our mood. It triggers the release of dopamine, which is associated with pleasure and happiness. Smiling also reduces overall stress. When we smile, we reduce feelings of anxiety and boost our mood. Our smile can boost the spirits of others, as well.

Smiling benefits our heart health and immune system, too. People who smile often experience a decrease in heart rate and blood pressure. Positive neurochemicals, which are released when we smile, can enhance the body’s immune response, making it more effective at preventing illness.

When we smile, people around us get the message that we are friendly and approachable. This allows us to enjoy positive interactions and build stronger social connections, factors which are critical for our own mental health. Author Roy T. Bennett, in his book The Light in the Heart, wrote, “Be the reason someone smiles. Be the reason someone feels loved and believes in the goodness in people.” Each one of us has the potential to do this.

We have countless opportunities to smile every day. Not only can we smile at those we know, it’s okay to smile at strangers, too. I do it every day. When I’m out for a walk or running errands, and I encounter someone I don’t know, I make it a point to acknowledge the person with a smile. This simple gesture has the ability to brighten someone’s day, and, in doing so, it brightens mine, as well. We just never know when the smile we offer to a stranger might be the only positive human interaction they experience all day.

Another benefit of smiling is that it bridges communication barriers. Comedian George Carlin pointed out, “Everyone smiles in the same language.” We don’t have to allow a language difference to prevent us from interacting in a positive way with people. Living in the Santa Clara Valley, I encounter non-English speakers every day. It doesn’t matter where a person is from or what language they speak, they understand the message of a simple smile.

A few people have told me through the years that they just aren’t comfortable smiling at strangers. That’s okay. Maybe today, on National Smile Day, they might consider the encouraging words of author James A. Murphy who wrote, “Just for today, smile a little more.”

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