Sometimes, it can be hard to find things to smile about.
Whether going through a difficult time or just feeling stressed and distracted by your regular routine, it’s not always easy to stop and enjoy the little moments.
Finding something to make you smile requires paying attention and being more mindful as you go through your day.
Once you deliberately start to look, you might be surprised by the things you find to make you smile.
The Science Behind What Makes People Smile
According to a report in BritishCouncil.org, “When our brains feel happy, endorphins are produced and neuronal signals are transmitted to your facial muscles to trigger a smile.
This is the start of the positive feedback loop of happiness.”
That’s the science behind smiling, but the types of things that make most of us smile include:
A happy memory or anticipation of a positive event
What makes you smile might not be the same for others.
After all, everyone has their own way of viewing the world and what they find smile-worthy.
Why Is Smiling Good For You?
While everyone has different reasons for smiling, we all share one commonality when it comes to showing our pearly whites — the real health benefits of smiling!
These include:
Release of endorphins, which cause temporary pain relief
Temporarily reducing your blood pressure
Reducing stress
Strengthening the immune system
Improving your mindset
Making you look younger
Improving your lifespan
101 Things That Will Make You Smile
Countless things happen daily that can make you smile if you watch for them.
From the big to the small, smiley things are always happening, so keep your eyes, ears, and mind open. Soon those endorphins will be flooding in!
1. Giving someone a hug
2. Visiting the beach and listening to the crashing of the waves
3. Seeing a rainbow after a thunderstorm
4. The sounds of a river running
5. Getting a massage
6. A phone call with a good friend
7. Getting the answers right during a trivia contest or show
8. The sound of birds in the morning
9. Kicking back with a new book
10. The smell of a hot cup of coffee or tea
11. Cooling off in the pool on a hot, sweaty day
12. Cuddling with your favorite person
13. Getting a surprise hug or kiss from your child
14. Having your hair done
15. Seeing an elderly couple holding hands
16. Waking up feeling rested and refreshed after a good night’s sleep
17. Watching the clouds float by on a bright day
18. Having a vase of beautiful flowers in your house
19. Taking a hot shower on a chilly day
20. Meeting up with an old friend
21. Seeing a cute baby animal
22. Coming upon a beautiful view
23. Eating a delicious ice cream sundae with your favorite toppings
24. Standing up and moving your limbs after sitting for a long time
25. Dancing to your favorite song
26. Swinging on a porch swing or hammock and watching the world go by
27. Walking barefoot through the grass on a summer day
28. Going outside and enjoying the fresh air after being cooped up inside
29. Accomplishing something you’ve been working at for a long time
53. Getting some much-needed exercise after putting it off
54. Enjoying a treat from your favorite bakery
55. Getting someone a birthday card or gift
56. Doing something childlike, like going on a swing or throwing water balloons
57. Helping someone in need
58. Sinking into a warm bubble bath
59. Spending some one-on-one time with your children
60. Enjoying a lazy day with nothing to do
61. Watching a silly video on the internet
62. Getting an unexpected compliment
63. Running into an old friend
64. Watching a favorite old movie you’ve seen many times before
65. Taking a day off from work just to relax
66. Looking at old photos and thinking back on the memories
67. Eating a meal out in the sunshine
68. Writing down all the things you are thankful for
69. Going for a day trip with friends or your partner
70. Looking at the stars
71. Getting your inbox cleared
72. Unexpected praise from someone who has noticed your hard work
73. A delicious, cold glass of lemonade on a hot day
74. Giving someone a spontaneous gift
75. Getting things checked off your to-do list
76. Climbing into bed with clean sheets
77. Taking your dog for a walk around the neighborhood
78. Organizing your desk and getting rid of the clutter
79. Letting yourself be lazy for an hour
80. Seeing a baby walk for the first time
81. The smell of a bouquet of flowers
82. A letter or postcard from someone that you miss
83. A nice exchange with a friendly stranger in the grocery store
84. Looking forward to reuniting with friends
85. Your favorite song coming on the radio
86. An unexpected kind gesture from a friend or neighbor
87. Getting a closet organized
88. Cuddles from a child
89. A good meal when you are really hungry
90. The sound of wind chimes
91. Watching a favorite old TV show
92. Baking cookies in the oven
93. Helping someone who needs a hand
94. Sitting outside in the sunshine
95. Going for a walk on a beautiful day
96. The sound of waves crashing on the beach
97. Memories of a happy time with people that you love
98. Good news from a friend or loved one
99. Laughing until your stomach hurts
100. Seeing plants bloom in your garden
101. The sight of leaves falling in the autumn
Final thoughts
There are many things that will help you smile more daily and turn your frown upside down.
Even making a deliberate effort to smile is good for you, leading to a myriad of health benefits. And this one is most important: smiling has also been shown to be contagious.
