Written by Dr Allen Lycka, Author, Speaker & Mentor
Dr Allen Lycka is acknowledged as one of the leading cosmetic dermatologists in the world. In 2003, Dr. Lycka was diagnosed with ALS and given six months to live. After fighting the diagnosis, he is here today as a result of his courage and tenacity.
The transformative power of a human smile is truly a marvel. You don't need perfect teeth to brighten someone's day or soothe your worries, a simple chuckle from a baby on YouTube, toothless and joyful, proves that smiles are a universal language of positivity.
Experts have identified the Duchenne smile, where your joy radiates through your eyes, creating tiny wrinkles known as crow's feet, as one of the most genuine expressions of happiness. The kind of smile makes us feel deeply connected to one another. Yet, let's not dismiss those polite, less intense smiles—often, they are just as necessary, offering a nod of social grace or subtly marking our emotional boundaries.
The Duchenne smile, a unique expression that engages specific facial muscles—the zygomaticus major and the orbicularis oculi—is not just a smile that lifts the lips, but also the spirits. This smile, named after the 19th-century French scientist Guillaume Duchenne, holds a significant place in the history of science. It was deeply analyzed by Darwin himself, who noted its sincerity due to the eye constriction it involves.
While Duchenne's methods might raise eyebrows today, his findings on the profound impact of genuine smiles on our mood and social interactions are invaluable. Smiling can indeed alter your emotional state, with MRI evidence showing that the act activates brain regions associated with happiness.
The research underscores the particular effectiveness of the Duchenne smile in managing emotions during challenging social situations. Neurobiologist Peggy Mason further highlights how our smiles foster social cohesion, spreading empathy and understanding across faces in any setting—be it a classroom, a dance studio, or a Zoom meeting.
Beyond emotional benefits, smiling, especially Duchenne smiles, can modify your body's response to stress, making you feel calmer and more collected. Smiles are also persuasive tools that enhance how others perceive you, often making you appear more trustworthy and genuine.
So, embrace the advice of Thich Nhat Hanh: sometimes your smile itself can be a wellspring of joy. Whether it's to lift your own spirits or to connect more deeply with others, the Duchenne smile is a powerful gift to both give and receive. Keep smiling, and let your joy shine brightly from within.
Dr Allen Lycka, Author, Speaker & Mentor
Dr Allen Lycka is acknowledged as one of the leading cosmetic dermatologists in the world. In 2003, Dr. Lycka was diagnosed with ALS and given six months to live. After fighting the diagnosis, he is here today as a result of his courage and tenacity. Having been given a “golden ticket” Dr. Lycka used his experience to co-author the books The Secrets To Living A Fantastic Life with Harriet Tinka, Pillars of Success with number 1 New York Times Best Selling Author Jack Canfield and bLU volume 1 with Corey Poirier. He is the host and executive director of How To Live a Fantastic Life show with 4 million listeners per episode. He is a sought-after speaker.
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