By Claire Brinsden Jordan
Come Up Smiling
When it comes to our mental health, Hurricanes Helene and Milton dealt our community a devastating one-two punch of stress and loss. For those whose homes were flooded or damaged, they will endure months of mental, emotional, and even physical strain from displacement and disruption in routine.
For the rest of us, there is a kind of survivor’s guilt, watching our family and friends cope with the devastation.
We are reminded of it daily as we drive by the piles of debris and furniture that used to be part of our neighbors’ homes and lives. And while our power has been restored, it will take much longer for our sense of well-being to return. It’s important to acknowledge that what we have all experienced here in South Pinellas is trauma. It is normal to feel sadness, anxiety, depression, hopelessness, and even anger following such stressful events. Besides helping each other with our time, attention, and donations, what more can we do to heal our community? It could be as simple as a genuine smile.
The science of smiling is well documented. Smiling enhances positive emotions and makes you feel happy. And when you’re happy, you smile more, creating a positive feedback loop. Smiling also reduces stress by lowering the level of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline in the bloodstream. Smiling is more effective than chocolate at stimulating the brain’s reward mechanism, releasing the feel-good neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins. The mighty smile can even boost your immune system. All these benefits only happen, however, when the smile is genuine, not fake.
There are many types of smiles, but only some of them are considered positive expressions. The most sought-after and influential smile is the Duchenne smile, which signals true enjoyment. It involves the contraction of two facial muscles – the zygomaticus major muscle that raises the corners of the mouth, and the orbicularis oculi muscle, which raises the cheeks and wrinkles the eyes. It is the most authentic expression of happiness and has been linked to healthier relationships and a longer life. Unfortunately, we tend to smile less the older we get. Children average 400 smiles a day, while adults only smile an average of 20 times a day. So, get in touch with your inner child! Newborn babies can smile in their sleep, which shows that we are born with the ability to smile – it is not a learned behavior.
A smile goes beyond our own well-being and helps to build community. Smiling creates positive social interactions and spreads positivity. When we share a smile, we appear kinder and more approachable, making others feel more welcome. If you go walking in public spaces, you notice people who pass you with a smile, fostering a sense of belonging. Smiling is crucial to building and maintaining strong relationships. And, like yawning, a smile is contagious, encouraging those around you to smile and mirror your positive energy. Smiling is universal, and as comedian George Carlin put it, “everyone smiles in the same language.” You can visit any country in the world and see our shared humanity in the smiles of its inhabitants.
Though it may seem challenging right now to generate a genuine smile, here are some suggestions to help “turn your frown upside down.” Think about what makes you smile and do more of it, whether it’s spending time with pets and children, watching animal videos or comedy shows, taking a group exercise class, listening to your favorite upbeat song, or reading a humorous book. Recall happy times in your life and little moments that made you smile. For example, a couple of years ago I drove up to a stop sign where someone had added the words “Hammer Time” under “STOP,” and while I don’t condone sign vandalism, I must admit it made me chuckle and smile. Do you have years of photo memories? Get a digital photo frame, place it on a table
you pass regularly, and fill it with pictures that bring a smile to your face. Most importantly, spend time with people who make you happy, and do what brings you joy.
Earlier this year, a study ranked St. Petersburg the 34th happiest city in the nation. There is hope that we will return to this happy state of being in the months ahead. According to Mother Theresa, “peace begins with a smile.” A smile from a friend or stranger reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles. As our community heals, we can find peace and comfort in the smiles of those around us. After all, according to the Collins Dictionary, to “Come Up Smiling” means “to recover cheerfully from misfortune.”
As the holidays approach, if you are struggling with mental health, please contact NAMI Pinellas County Information and Resource Help Line at 727-791-3434. If you are in immediate crisis, dial 211 for Tampa Bay Cares, text NAMI to 741-741, or for the Teen & Young Adult Helpline text “Friend” to 62640. For the Pinellas Mobile Crisis Unit, call 727-362-4424. Dial 988 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.