How smiling improves your mood: 4 brain mechanisms

At first glance, a smile is a simple movement of the facial muscles that we can easily control. But what if it can influence our mood? Much research in psychology in recent years has shown a connection between physical actions and the brain's response - when a change in the body changes our mental state. One of these movements is smiling. These are the mechanisms of our brain's functioning that it triggers.

1. Smiling releases endorphins

When we smile, the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that releases endorphins, is activated. They give us a good mood and great well-being.

We also have in our brains amygdala, or amygdala. These are two small oval clusters deep in the temporal lobe of the brain hemispheres. It is she who processes emotions, regulates behavior, and participates in the formation of memory and perception of impressions.

Even though the amygdala plays a very important role and does complex things, it can be tricked: it doesn't differentiate a fake smile from a real one and activates the hypothalamus, which, in turn, releases endorphins. Mood improves and stress levels decrease.

2. Smiling reduces cortisol levels

Smiling also affects the level of this stress hormone. It increases in moments of danger: the “fight or flight” mechanism is activated for survival. But a constantly high level of this hormone is one of the factors of chronic stress, which slowly but surely destroys organism. For example, the immune system begins to malfunction, the heart and blood vessels suffer, and the risk of mental disorders increases.

To some extent, laughter can help cope with this condition. One study showedthat an encouraging smile alleviates the effects of stress and even lowers heart rate. The thing is that by deceiving the amygdala, we artificially increase our mood, and this, in turn, improves both physical and mental well-being - which reduces stress.

3. A smile gives you a feeling of security

When we smile, it can mean to the brain that we are definitely not in danger. In an urban environment or under chronic stress, the body is constantly tense, as it subconsciously expects an attack. Muscles are tight and constrained. However, you have probably noticed that when meeting with friends or watching your favorite comedy, you laugh and relax, as if something was releasing from within.

This is the physiological effect of a smile. The body perceives it as a signal that there is no danger, so the heartbeat slows down, the pressure decreases and we automatically relax.

4. A smile triggers a reflection effect

A smile is perceived by others as a sign of goodwill, and on a deeper level - the absence of danger. By smiling at another person, you are subconsciously setting him up for more positive and open communication, even if he does not realize it. This called reflection effect.

It occurs due to mirror neurons in the brain, which provoke imitation actions and expressions of other people. This is how we understand other people's intentions. These neurons are activated when observing the actions of our interlocutor - for example, his smile. Through repetition of a gesture, neurons help to understand why the interlocutor performed his action. This is how the cycle of smiles starts.

Of course, we do not yet fully understand all the processes by which the brain can regulate our mood, and even more so, it is not clear exactly how we could control it. But smiling seems to be a working life hack if you need to support yourself and relax a little.