The Number One Thing you can Do to be a Happier Person

As happy as a glass or two of wine may make you, it is by no means a sustainable way to stay happy. Nor is any pill you may have prescribed to you, and any lies you tell your friends about your “happiness” will surely soon be uncovered for what they really are – lies. If you are like several people in America who are trying to becoming a happier person and don’t know how, do not fret. The one thing that you can do to make yourself a happier person is right on your face. As simple as it may sound, what will transform you from sad and unhappy to joyous and loving life is smiling.

Don’t think that smiling will help you? Try it. Smiling at yourself in the mirror will immediately give you an attitude boost – even if you’re just laughing at your silly fake smile in the mirror! Over time, just seeing yourself smile in the mirror, in pictures, or in any reflective surface can actually begin to “trick” yourself to believing that you are a happy person. That “trick” will actually encourage optimistic and positive thinking, both of which are key ingredients to living a happier life.

Here’s another thing about smiling: it’s addictive. If people see you smiling, regardless of whether or not they know who the heck you are, they will undoubtedly give you a grin in return. People are naturally gravitated towards happy, positive people. If someone sees you smiling, you will be the first person they go up to and speak with. This alone can help you build a stronger social group and support structure, which has also been proven time and time again to improve one’s happiness.

Smiling is also a sign of confidence. It has been reported in several studies how positive people tend to be more satisfied, and therefore more contented, with life. Confidence goes a long way in helping us achieve our goals, whether they are personal goals, relationship goals, or even career goals. Achieving goals, of course, does bring one such feelings as joy and fulfillment, so a direct result of simply APPEARING more confident by smiling can actually make you truly happy in the long run.

On a physiological level, it has been argued that our body actually memorizes the muscles used to smile and, when we do so, our body will send chemical responses to our brain telling it that we should be feeling “happy”. If you are ever feeling stressed or worried, try smiling for a few seconds. Even the absurdity of having a smile on during some of these moments will brighten the whole situation. Learning to take life and yourself a little less seriously and having a sense of humor goes a long way in allowing you to let things just roll off your shoulders and to not stress.

Having a smile on your face every day allows both you and everyone else who is fortunate to be in your presence to appreciate the world as a better and friendlier place. Try a bit of “smile therapy” and discover the positive effects it will have on your life.