Smiling is the act of flexing the muscles on your face at the sides of the mouth. Smiling at the starting of your day surely can boost your mood on that day. Smiles can be an involuntary response to happiness and joy.
Even for a Muslim, we are encouraged to smile as it is a part of the sunnah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Smiling in your brother’s face is an act of charity” (At-Tirmidhi; Declared Authentic by Al-Albani). It also has been associated with various benefits for our health and well-being. Here are five facts about smiling that some of us might not know.
1. Fifteen percent of us have a problem smiling
According to the Adult Dental Health survey, it is found that 15% of adults have difficulty smiling. Some people simply find smiling is exhausting to them. The act of smiling has to come from the heart and not only be pasted on your face. If you find yourself hard to smile, try to make yourself remember funny times, or read humor books.
2. We have six different smiles to convey happiness
In fact, there 19 types of smiles but only six for happiness. Another 13 smiles can be a response towards anger, sadness, pain, or simply faking a smile. However, about 71% of us can contract the muscles voluntarily to produce “genuine” eye-crinkling smiles.
3. Babies start smiling 15 weeks before they’re born
At 22 weeks, an unborn baby can start smiling reflexively. This shows that smiling plays a bigger role in human life. It is an indication of their carefree existence, said some doctors. Some others also argue that it is a form of preparing the baby to face their life after being born.
4. Smile can boost your overall mood
According to psychologists, a smile can lift you up even if you are in a bad mood. It can relieve our stress as it can activate the release of neuropeptides that work for fighting off stress. You will surely feel relax after making a smile on your face.
5. Smiles are a universal sign of happiness
Smiling can trick your brain into happiness. Smiles expresses the feeling of happiness, amusement, and pleasure. Adding to that, smiling is a universal sign that portrays the meaning of happiness and acceptance around the world.
Source: About Islam, The Guardian, The Home T