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Smiling Under Your Mask Is Important. Here’s Why!

Sharing Positivity Through the Pandemic

By Jake MerrellPublished 2 years ago 3 min read
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If you’re like me, then pre-pandemic you smiled at people as you biked past them at Scioto Grove Metro Park or walked by them at the Gardens at Gantz Farm. However, now that your mask is hiding your grin, you may be thinking, “What’s the point?” As an experienced dentist, I can tell you that there are numerous benefits that come with smiling, even underneath your face covering. Here are a few!

The Social Connection

We often chalk up our basic human needs to food, water, shelter, and clean air. There is one crucial component missing from this list: social contact. In fact, both introverts and extroverts alike need interaction with others to improve their mental health, increase their immunity, and reduce their stress levels. Although social distancing makes traditional engagement, like a handshake, near impossible, greeting someone with a smile goes a long way! Although your grin will be concealed, there are other changes that come with creating a facial expression that will give others the cue that you’re smiling, like the rise in your cheekbones and the light in your eyes.

Acknowledging Others Through “Smizing”

On her hit show America’s Next Top Model, Tyra Banks taught her protégées to smile with their eyes, a.k.a. “smize.” Turns out her advice is applicable now more than ever! In fact, the results of an Evolution and Human Behavior study found that humans respond “instinctively” to eye contact. When you meet someone’s gaze and genuinely smile, your eyes will light up to reflect that positive energy. Plus, the crinkles that form around the corners of your eyes will further indicate that you are smiling, even if the person can’t see it directly. In short, smiling at someone underneath your mask isn’t “wasted” because the ripple effect will communicate the same message your grin would!

Boosting Your Own Mood

Smiling throughout the day is about so much more than just communicating with others. It’s also about your own mental health! When you smile, your brain releases tiny molecules called neuropeptides, which help fight off stress. Grinning also triggers the release of “happy” hormones, like dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins. Recent studies have shown that the feelings of positivity are so powerful that even faking a smile when you feel down will do the trick! So, there is some merit to the advice “turn your frown upside down” after all. If a dental flaw is the reason you hesitate to smile, visit your dental office for a routine cleaning or smile-transforming cosmetic dentistry.

Creating a Ripple Effect of Positivity

It’s no secret that the last 15+ months have been taxing. Now more than ever, we need to help those in our community feel cared for, safe, welcome, and positive. Fortunately, your smile can help tremendously! It’s in our nature to mirror the behavior of those around us. Therefore, when you smile at someone, they will most likely smile back at you. After reading through the above information about the direct link between smiling and mental health, you can see how beneficial the seemingly small act of smiling can be. (Pro tip: throw in a nice wave if the person is farther away).

Since face masks have been, and continue to be, an important part of limiting the spread of the novel COVID-19 virus, this best practice doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. Luckily, you can still create a positive space for those around you by simply smiling. So, the next time you are out and about with your mask on, don’t hesitate to grin at someone passing you by at Scioto Grove Metro Park or the Gardens at Gantz Farm – it may change their day for the better!

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