Everyone loves to smile. Or, at least, everyone should! Whether it’s a young child scoffing sweets, or an elderly relative remembering the golden oldies, everybody does it. However, smiling isn’t just a expression of joy – it’s also a cognitive reflex to positive aspects of life that release endorphins, dopamine and serotonin – making you feel physically better! Happiness makes you smile, and smiling makes you happier – it’s a positive feedback loop that just keeps on giving! Take a look at what smiling really means to you and those around you.

1. THEPOWER
OFSMILING
SAY
CHEESE!

2. Smiles are a universal greeting. They make you look more pleasant and trustworthy, as well as
releasing endorphins - making you feel better too! Smiling is very important for our wellbeing,
as people who smile live longer, are less stressed and more successful in life! Take a look at
the benefits hidden in the corners of your mouth, and turn that frown upside down - because
when you smile, the whole world smiles with you!

3. Why Do We Smile?
POSITIVITY
Releases endorphins.
The more you smile,
the better you feel!
REFLEX
Reflex reaction to
pleasant situations
JOY
It’s an expression
of joy

4. Which Muscles Do We Use?A genuine smile uses all the superficial muscles for a full face workout!
Forehead
(Frontalis muscle)
Eyelids
(Orbicularis occuli)
Corners of the mouth
(Zygotmaticus major)
Upper lip
(Upper obicularis oris)
Neck
(Platysma muscle)
Lower lip
(Mentalis muscle)
Jaw
(Masseter muscle)
Cheeks
(Buccinator muscle)
Nostrils
(Levator labil superioris)
Nose
(Procerus muscle)

5. Fake vs. Real Smiles80% of people can fake a smile, but there are obvious differences
REAL (DUCHENNE)
Genuine smiles take half a second to
spread across the face, starting with the
crinkles in the eyes, creating laughter lines,
that spread to the cheeks and lips.
Lines around
the eyes
Raised
cheeks
Dimples

6. Fake vs. Real Smiles80% of people can fake a smile, but there are obvious differences
FAKE SMILE
Social smiles only involve the corners of the
mouth. These are also known as “Pan-Am”
or Botox smiles, as lots of people mimick
the same fake smile.

7. What do Other Smiles Mean?
Tight-lipped smile:
concealing a
secret
Sneer: a sign of
sarcasm or
contempt
Drop jaw smile:
fake laughter or
joyfulness
Turn away smile:
shows vulnerability
and femeninity

8. Health Benefits of Smiling
OWCH!
MORE
SUCCESSFUL
On average smilers are
more contented and
successful
PAIN
THRESHOLD
Smiling reduces effects
of pain and aggression
LIVE LONGER
Smiling can add 7
years to your life!

9. Health Benefits of Smiling
STRONGER IMMUNE
SYSTEM
Boosts HGH production and
reduces cancer risk
REDUCES STRESS
Neuropeptides are released,
lowering blood pressure and
anxiety

10. How Many Times a Day
do we Smile?
CHILDREN AVERAGE
ADULTS
HAPPY
PEOPLE

11. Smiling by Numbers
ATTRACTIVENESS
A beaming smile makes you more
attractive. 71% of woman and 58% of
men rate a smile as the most desirable
feature in a partner.
MEMORABLE
24% of people said that a smile is the
facial feature they remember most
when meeting people.

12. Smiling by Numbers
AMERICANS SMILE MORE!
Americans smile the most across
cultures, Russians the least. The
“Pan-American” smile however, may
not always be a genuine smile.
MEMORABLE
More than 50% of people will return a
smile, proving smiling is contagious
and good for those around you.

13. GET
SMILING
Brought to you by Portman Healthcare
www.portmanhealthcare.co.uk

14. http://www.healthworks.my/what-smiles-mean/
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090417084115.html