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Giant Brain Candy: A Smile Can Start the Feeling. In a test across 19 countries, deliberately posing a smile could amplify, and even spark, feelings of happiness. The effect is small, but it’s real. Source: The facial feedback effect.
Strong evidenceThe research
  1. Coles, N. A., March, D. S., Marmolejo-Ramos, F., et al. (2022). A multi-lab test of the facial feedback hypothesis by the Many Smiles Collaboration. Nature Human Behaviour, 6(12), 1731–1742.
  2. Coles, N. A., Larsen, J. T., & Lench, H. C. (2019). A meta-analysis of the facial feedback literature: Effects of facial feedback on emotional experience are small and variable. Psychological Bulletin, 145(6), 610–651.

Journey 5 · Gratitude

A Smile Can Start the Feeling

In a test across 19 countries, deliberately posing a smile could amplify, and even spark, feelings of happiness. The effect is small, but it’s real.

Source: The facial feedback effect · Strong evidence

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