Having the tremendous opportunity to present before several large groups of less than engaged folks this week, I tasked myself with the ability to leave each and every individual in the room with a smile.

I think I succeeded.

On two occasions, it was rough ~ tough crowd.  Just following lunch, slumping in their chairs…

However, mission accomplished.

There is nothing better than a smile ~ maybe a hug ~ but smiles are pretty freakin’ awesome!

Here are 10 fabulous facts about smiling to begin your Fabulous Finishing Friday:

1. Forcing yourself to smile can boost your mood: Psychologists have found that even if you’re in bad mood, you can instantly lift your spirits by forcing yourself to smile. ~ “Fake it until you make it,” right?”
2. It boosts your immune system: Smiling really can improve your physical health, too. Your body is more relaxed when you smile, which contributes to good health and a stronger immune system.
3. Smiles are contagious: It’s not just a saying: smiling really is contagious, scientists say. In a study conducted in Sweden, people had difficulty frowning when they looked at other subjects who were smiling, and their muscles twitched into smiles all on their own. ~ I LOVE this one.  Smile until it hurts, and watch those around you turn the corners of their mouth right along with you.
4. Smiles Relieve Stress: Your body immediately releases endorphins when you smile, even when you force it. This sudden change in mood will help you feel better and release stress. ~ OF COURSE!
5. It’s easier to smile than to frown: Scientists have discovered that your body has to work harder and use more muscles to frown than it does to smile. ~ My mom always told me this.  Now there is proof!
6. It’s a universal sign of happiness: While hand shakes, hugs, and bows all have varying meanings across cultures, smiling is known around the world and in all cultures as a sign of happiness and acceptance. ~ Universal ACCEPTANCE.  (It’s not like George Bush’s peace sign mistake, don’t worry).
7. Smiles use from 5 to 53 facial muscles: Just smiling can require your body to use up to 53 muscles, but some smiles only use 5 muscle movements. ~ Facercise, baby!
8. Babies are born with the ability to smile: Babies learn a lot of behaviors and sounds from watching the people around them, but scientists believe that all babies are born with the ability, since even blind babies smile. ~ A.W.E.S.O.M.E.
9. Smiles are more attractive than makeup: A research study conducted by Orbit Complete discovered that 69% of people find women more attractive when they smile than when they are wearing makeup. ~ Skip the cosmetics and the Botox, ladies.
10. There are 19 different types of smiles: UC-San Francisco researcher identified 19 types of smiles and put them into two categories: polite “social” smiles which engage fewer muscles, and sincere “felt” smiles that use more muscles on both sides of the face. ~ What’s your smile type?  I hope you have far more than one in your smile arsenal!

BONUS:  Babies start smiling as newborns: Most doctors believe that real smiles occur when babies are awake at the age of four-to-six weeks, but babies start smiling in their sleep as soon as they’re born. ~ Babies just KNOW.  They just KNOW!!!

15 Fascinating Facts About Smiling

Go smile your way through today ~

How about you smile your way through EVERY DAY!