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 positive relationship experience A joyful or significant positive event Something humorous or witty Beauty and kindness 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!
- Giving someone a hug
- Visiting the beach and listening to the crashing of the waves
- Seeing a rainbow after a thunderstorm
- The sounds of a river running
- Getting a massage
- A phone call with a good friend
- Getting the answers right during a trivia contest or show
- The sound of birds in the morning
- Kicking back with a new book
- The smell of a hot cup of coffee or tea
- Cooling off in the pool on a hot, sweaty day
- Cuddling with your favorite person
- Getting a surprise hug or kiss from your child
- Having your hair done
- Seeing an elderly couple holding hands
- Waking up feeling rested and refreshed after a good night’s sleep
- Watching the clouds float by on a bright day
- Having a vase of beautiful flowers in your house
- Taking a hot shower on a chilly day
- Meeting up with an old friend
- Seeing a cute baby animal
- Coming upon a beautiful view
- Eating a delicious ice cream sundae with your favorite toppings
- Standing up and moving your limbs after sitting for a long time
- Dancing to your favorite song
- Swinging on a porch swing or hammock and watching the world go by
- Walking barefoot through the grass on a summer day
- Going outside and enjoying the fresh air after being cooped up inside
- Accomplishing something you’ve been working at for a long time
- The sound of rain on the sidewalk
- Having dinner with good friends or family
- Leaving the window open and enjoying the breeze on a beautiful day
- Getting to know a new friend
- Watching your kids sleep peacefully
- Waking up in the middle of the night and realizing you still have time to sleep
- Someone bringing you a fresh cup of something to drink
- Cooking a delicious meal for your family (or just yourself!)
- Going for a leisurely drive to enjoy the scenery
- Waking up to find a fresh coat of snow on the ground
- Petting a dog or cat
- Going for a swim on a hot summer day
- Picking flowers and enjoying the scent
- Stopping for a few minutes to meditate or say a prayer
- Watching the sun go down
- Doing a cartwheel like when you were a kid
- Reaching a goal that you’ve been working toward
- Hearing a song that brings up good memories
- Doing something that makes someone else smile
- Going out for drinks or dinner with friends
- Finding something you thought you had lost 29 Of The Most Important Values To Live By 41 Sunday Things To Do That Are Fun, Relaxing, And Productive 71 Inspirational Goodnight Quotes
- Watching the rain all while curled up in a blanket
- Offering an act of kindness for a neighbor
- Getting some much-needed exercise after putting it off
- Enjoying a treat from your favorite bakery
- Getting someone a birthday card or gift
- Doing something childlike, like going on a swing or throwing water balloons
- Helping someone in need
- Sinking into a warm bubble bath
- Spending some one-on-one time with your children
- Enjoying a lazy day with nothing to do
- Watching a silly video on the internet
- Getting an unexpected compliment
- Running into an old friend
- Watching a favorite old movie you’ve seen many times before
- Taking a day off from work just to relax
- Looking at old photos and thinking back on the memories
- Eating a meal out in the sunshine
- Writing down all the things you are thankful for
- Going for a day trip with friends or your partner
- Looking at the stars
- Getting your inbox cleared
- Unexpected praise from someone who has noticed your hard work
- A delicious, cold glass of lemonade on a hot day
- Giving someone a spontaneous gift
- Getting things checked off your to-do list
- Climbing into bed with clean sheets
- Taking your dog for a walk around the neighborhood
- Organizing your desk and getting rid of the clutter
- Letting yourself be lazy for an hour
- Seeing a baby walk for the first time
- The smell of a bouquet of flowers
- A letter or postcard from someone that you miss
- A nice exchange with a friendly stranger in the grocery store
- Looking forward to reuniting with friends
- Your favorite song coming on the radio
- An unexpected kind gesture from a friend or neighbor
- Getting a closet organized
- Cuddles from a child
- A good meal when you are really hungry
- The sound of wind chimes
- Watching a favorite old TV show
- Baking cookies in the oven
- Helping someone who needs a hand
- Sitting outside in the sunshine
- Going for a walk on a beautiful day
- The sound of waves crashing on the beach
- Memories of a happy time with people that you love
- Good news from a friend or loved one
- Laughing until your stomach hurts
- Seeing plants bloom in your garden
- 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.
