Episode 7 – The Magic of Smiling: Boost Your Mood, Mindset, and Health

Todd Bertsch: 0:17

Welcome back to the Bolt Podcast. I’m Todd Bertsch, your guide on this exciting journey of personal growth and leadership, where my guests and I will share personal stories from our transformational journeys of how small changes can lead to massive results. You’ll discover tips on overcoming obstacles, setting and achieving goals, building lasting habits, developing confidence, living a happy, healthy and positive life, and so much more. If you’re ready to cultivate a growth mindset and become the best version of yourself, then let’s ignite your growth today. In today’s episode, we dive into the incredible power of a smile and its impact on our mental, physical and emotional well-being. Do me a favor and smile right now. Feel that instant boost of happiness.

Todd Bertsch: 1:17

Look, I was skeptical at first about devoting an entire episode to this topic, until I dug in further and discovered just how powerful a smile can truly be. But before we go into the benefits, we should first discuss the science behind this. So let’s talk about the chemical harmony. When you smile, your brain releases endorphins, dopamine and serotonin, this trio of feel-good neurotransmitters Similar to that of exercise, sleep, music and many other things that make you happy. These chemicals not only elevate your mood, but also act as a natural stress reliever. The simple act of smiling triggers a cascade of positive reactions in your brain, creating this instant boost in happiness. Smiling creates a facial feedback loop where the physical act of smiling sends signals to your brain, reinforcing positive emotions. Even Charles Darwin recognized this as a powerful tool for mood regulation.

Todd Bertsch: 2:19

Beyond being a mere expression of joy, the act of smiling holds incredible power, influencing not only our mental and emotional well-being, but also shaping the way we interact with the world. Here’s a great quote I want to share from Mother Teresa Every time you smile at someone, it’s an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing, person, a beautiful thing. Look, smiling makes other people happy and it’s infectious, so why not do it more often? Just like a yawn, it can spread across the room. A smile has that power to uplift those around you. The human brain is wired to respond to these facial expressions and a genuine smile can create this ripple effect, fostering a positive atmosphere and strengthening social connections.

Todd Bertsch: 3:13

There are so many benefits to smiling. It triggers the release of endorphins, dopamine and serotonin, which improve your mood and reduce stress. It can also boost your immune system, enhance your social connections by making you appear more approachable, and increase your overall sense of well-being In a professional setting, a smile can make you seem more confident and likable, which helps you foster collaboration and build more trust. Additionally, studies show that smiling can enhance productivity and creativity, making it a simple yet powerful tool. And again, smiling is contagious. Your smile can uplift those around you.

Todd Bertsch: 3:59

So if you were to walk into a room split into two groups one group is full of smiles, the other is not which would you be more attracted to? Who would you want to start a conversation with? I think it’s pretty simple, right? People who smile are usually identified as being more likable compared to those that don’t, so why not be a smiler? I know everybody’s not a smiler and I’m fortunate. That’s just the way I was built. I love smiling. I’m a smiler, right, but not everybody is, and that’s okay.

Todd Bertsch: 4:32

And that’s what this episode is about is to educate people on what the benefits are. There’s a ton of benefits, like we just discussed, and it’s easy to get started. People love being around others who smile. Often. This is great for networking and people who want to buy from people who are happy. It gives off that sense that you’re proud of the product or service you’re selling. It’s also great for those in customer service. When you approach a customer with a smile, even if they have a complaint, that smile will help shift their energy from a negative to a positive. But wait, there’s even more benefits. Studies have even proven that people are more attractive when they smile. Who doesn’t want to be more attractive? Smiling also gives the illusion of being younger again, no brainer, especially when you get up there in your 50s, like I am. So you can see there are tons of benefits here.

Todd Bertsch: 5:30

So how can you get started? So if you’re not a smiler, I want you to listen to a few of these ways you can try to start to build a habit for this. So one is you can set reminders, as silly as it may sound, start to play sticky notes or phone reminders to smile throughout the day. I know I have a sticky note on my phone at the office because most of the phone calls we get are spam calls, but every now and then it’s a great prospect call. So I have a little sticky note that says smile, be happy, be positive, because I want to go into every call with this great attitude, because you just never know who’s going to be on the phone, right, and it’s just the right thing to do right.

Todd Bertsch: 6:19

Second is start small, just like any habit. Smile at the start of your day or at the end of your day and link it to triggers like pair it with something that is a routine action for you, like drinking coffee smile, or if you’re out walking in the morning or walking your dog, or even in your drive into work. Just smile a few times, right, I mean it works. You can sense it. It actually boosts your immune system. It boosts your positivity. It works. Also, surround yourself with positivity. Spend time with people and things that naturally make you smile. It’ll just make it easier. And practice gratitude. Smiling often comes easier when you reflect on things you’re grateful for. So you can see these tips can help make smiling a natural daily habit.

Todd Bertsch: 7:08

Again, just start small with one little thing and you can see how you can start to build momentum on it. Next thing you know you’re a smiling machine. Who knows right? But you got to be intentional about smiling more. It’s a small act but it has big rewards. Just like we talked about, even in challenging situations, a smile can change the entire tone of your conversation or that situation. So here’s a fun fact, probably not surprising, but smiley emojis are in the top 10 most globally used, proof that we all appreciate a happy face, right? So wow, in summary, man, that’s a ton of benefits and a ton of reasons to smile. Look, smiling is no joke. I love these simple tips. These are quick and easy wins that anybody can start today. It’s a small little shift with a big impact.

Todd Bertsch: 8:02

The power of smiling stands out as a potent force for good in so many ways, from its neurological impact to its social and psychological benefits. Smiling is a simple yet excellent tool that can enhance our lives and the lives of everyone around us. So the next time you find yourself facing a challenge or a tough conversation, remember the transformative power of a smile, a gesture that goes beyond joy, reaching into the very essence of what makes us human. Let’s keep spreading smiles and positivity, my friends, one smile at a time.

Todd Bertsch: 8:49

Thank you so much for listening to this episode. You are on your way to growth, transformation and joy. If you find this episode helpful, please like and share with your friends and, by all means, please leave a review. You can also view the show notes and subscribe to the Bolt newsletter at ToddBertsch.com. Remember, real change takes time. Start small and watch the growth take shape.