Try Smiling (It Works)

I was talking with a guy I know last night. He said he feels like crying all the time. He’s not sure he can hide his sadness from his coworkers much longer.

I said, “Sometimes, when I’m alone in the elevator or whatever, I practice smiling.”

Which is true. I do. For four reasons: 1) to remind myself how it feels 2) so that I remember to smile more often because 3) it makes everyone else smile and hence 4) keeps me smiling.

It’s a great tool, really. Of course, he laughed at me and my “Midwestern advices.” But that’s fine. It works for me. And anyway, I got ’em laughing, which one Dr. Madan Kataria writes:

Laughter is one of the best muscle relaxants. [It] expands blood vessels and sends more blood rising to the extremities and other muscles all over the body. A good bout of laughter also reduces the levels of stress hormones epinephrine and cortisol.

So… I’m right. I win.

Top Ten Things I Did Today That Help Me Feel Like I’m Doing Right:

1) Dropped off laundry.
2) Ate two apples, two bananas, and two salads
3) Drank three liters of water.
4) One word: Meetings.
5) Told my reports they were doing a great job (before leveling a dozen new assignments).
6) Worked ’til 9.
7) Emailed Kevin and told him we need to collaborate on new music.
8) Called a financial advisor.
9) Transferred $100 into savings.
10) Apple juice, not beer.

Bonus of the day? The woman at the laundromat said I’m like Guy Smiley (presumably ‘cuz I’m always happy, or at least seem it). See? It works. Try it some time.