Featured Fundamism: Smile!

Have you ever had a bad day? Some of you reading this are having a bad day right now! There's no question that bad days are going to come. The real question is what can you do to get out of the negative headspace a bad day can create. Have you ever tried just swallowing your frustration, anger or heartache and forcing yourself to smile? I know it sounds easier said than done. Read our featured fundamism below to learn more about the benefits of and how to smile more!

WHAT:

Make yourself smile

WHY:

Bobby McFerrin once sang, “Don’t worry, be happy. Cause when you worry your face will frown and that will bring everybody down, so don't worry, be happy (now)”. It was a popular and uplifting song for a very specific reason. Though a smile isn’t generally going to be a cure-all for what’s nagging at you, the domino effect of the impression it leaves on others can actually make you feel better. A smile will always emit a positive vibe and lighten the mood, so it stands to reason that most people will respond in kind when they see one. So, not only does a smile have the power to improve your disposition, it can also bring joy to others too. What a simple and powerful tool, right?

It should also be noted that smiles should not be reserved for people we know. Strangers on the street and service people will appreciate a smile just as much as your Mom or best friend. Have you ever flashed a smile at the cashier at the grocery store or the person working a drive through window? If not, try it! If you want to be really daring, take a look at this individual's name tag and address them by name. The results will be just as rewarding (if not more) as flashing your pearly whites at a good buddy. You'll be surprised at the reaction you get as many employees get treated as such instead the people that they truly are. The pleasure that they get from being appreciated for the help they are offering you is immeasurable.

Understandably, the notion that a simple smile can actually make you feel better sounds a little silly, but believe it or not, science has actually proven it! So have a little faith in those cognitive studies and remember that when you are feeling blue, your attitude and mindset can be shifted by simply “turning that frown upside down.”

HOW:

I recently got the opportunity to see keynote speaker, Dave Caperton, who speaks on the concept of joy. He walked us through a really FUN exercise featuring straws. First, he had us tear off half of the straw wrapper and blow the remainder of the wrapper at someone in the audience. As this is what I do with my kids whenever we eat out, I was intrigued by what was to follow. He then instructed us to put the straw in our mouth sideways. Doing this exercise forces you to smile! Could you imagine someone intentionally or unintentionally wrecking your vibe? Then in the midst of this experience, pulling out a straw, blowing half the wrapper in the air, placing the straw in your mouth and calmly saying, “carry on” with your creepy smile? How funny would that be?

What makes you smile? Do more of that and less of what doesn’t. It’s really that simple. Go for a walk, makes someone laugh, eat your favorite food, accomplish a goal, listen to your favorite song, watch a funny YouTube video, go play catch with your child or anything else that brings you joy. Any one of the aforementioned items can be a fundamism by themselves. However, the goal here is to immediately do whatever has the highest probability of making YOU smile. Get to it!