“When people see you smiling, they assume everything’s going well and perceive your facial expression as a moniker for success,” says Bryan Bruno, MD, medical director at Mid City TMS in New York. “A smile will make people trust your decisions and feel supported by you because it is a universal sign that you are worry-free.“ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb People may also view your smile as a positive indicator of confidence because it makes them “feel more at ease and welcoming,” says William L. Balanoff, DDS, science consultant for Abova Health and founder of Oral Care Perfected. This is because smiling is literally contagious. A 2016 study published in Trends in Cognitive Sciences found that smiling makes everyone around you feel better, as they are usually either consciously or unconsciously smiling with you. According to the researchers, this is because people have an instinct for facial mimicry, which is where someone imitates the facial expressions of others. Balanoff says a smile can do more than just make you appear more confident and make people want to be around you. It can also help you feel more confident. “Nothing gives you more instant and immediate confidence than displaying a smile,” Balanoff explains. “Our body and mind respond with a cascade of hormones that will lift your spirit when this happens.” RELATED: For more up-to-date information, sign up for our daily newsletter. It’s true, and it’s backed by science. “Pulling your face muscles together into a smile will trigger your brain to release endorphins,” Bruno explains. Isha Gupta, MD, a neurologist from IGEA Brain and Spine, explained to NBC in 2017 that through his research, he found that the simple act of smiling can produce a chemical reaction in the brain, releasing certain “happy hormones,” such as dopamine and serotonin. “These ‘happy hormones’ can ease your perception of pain, reduce stress and anxiety, and yes, boost your confidence by making you feel good about yourself,” Bruno says. “Taking a moment to smile throughout your day will chemically enhance your perception of events and make you feel more confident over time.” And for more ways to seem self-assured, stop saying these Words That Make You Sound Less Confident, According to Experts.
