SMILE (repost)

Are
you a novice to the habit of smiling. I will suggest a begining
exercise that may help. Not only will you feel better, but it pays well
too.

S – Stretch your cheeks as far as they can go to the left and the right.

M – Make yourself hold that position.

I – Inhale, but hold your facial position.

L – Lighten up your stance by tensing and relaxing your muscles.

E – Enjoy the giggle that is now turning from a chuckle to a cackle.

Practice this process until it comes naturally. Maintaining the habit
will not be nearly as challenging as starting. Others will reinforce it
by smiling back and you will feel like a million dollars.

The advantages to smiling are both documented and anecdotal. Yet, they are very real. Below is an example of a compilation of advantages by Stacie Hewish:

Advantages of Smiling – Ecademy
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From a research perspective, take a look at this paper: The Memory Promoting Effect of Smiling in Face Cognition.

Can it be that smiling makes us smarter too?