[progressally_objectives]
Video
Lesson
“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.” – Thich Nhat Hanh
“I just like to smile, smiling’s my favorite!” – Buddy the Elf
Smile!
Seriously, smile.
Do you feel a little happier?
Research would indicate that your probably do.
The muscles in the face that convey our emotional states not only receive signals from the brain, but send signals to the brain. William James proposed over a century ago that we are sad because we cry, we are fearful because we tremble. Many psychologists today describe emotions as embodied experiences — what we feel is based on our interpretation of the physical state of and signals from our body.
If we smile, we feel a bit happier. If we slouch in our chair, we feel less happy. (You can learn more about the studies on this here.)
This doesn’t mean we just ignore sadness, or put on a smile and pretend that the bad things aren’t there. If anything, mindfulness is about welcoming the sadness: sitting with it, observing it, holding it with tenderness, and watching it eventually dissipate. Mindfulness is not about denial.
But it’s powerful to learn that we can change our mood by changing our facial expression or posture!
Your Mindful Move
If you notice you’re feeling upset or tired today, or just need a little pick-me-up, take one moment to take a deep breath. Bring your awareness to your body… to your posture… to your facial muscles. Gently release any areas of tension…. and then let your lips curve ever-so-slightly into a smile.
Is smiling your favorite now?
This might help the smiles… ?
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