Exercising the Smile

Try this exercise right now. Let your mouth slowly form a smile, with lips gently closed. Hold the smile for at least ten seconds. Slowly inhale and exhale.

Did your mood shift slightly? Did your thoughts change?

When we ask our bodies to do something (breathe, smile, relax, etc.), our bodies will comply and then our minds seem to follow.

Try to do this at least once a day, especially when you are feeling least willing to smile. If you can fake it, you might be able to make an internal change. Perhaps you'll even make someone else smile, too.