I’m a New Jersey native living in the greater Seattle area. I’ve been here a long time but one
thing I noticed right away is that Seattle is polite from a distance; meaning the people won’t be
rude to you but they probably won’t look you in the eye and smile either.

Of course, this is a gross generalization and there are incredibly friendly people here but they
take FOR-EVER to allow you into their world.

I’m the out-of-towner who moved here and smiled at everyone. In a store and a clerk asks if I
need help? A smile and a reply. At the grocery store and passing by a stranger? I smile at
them. Walking my dog and pass people on the sidewalk? You guessed it; I smile at them.

I’ve always been a smiley person. Maybe it’s rooted in my previous people-pleasing years but
I’m glad I still have it!

Did you know there’s scientific evidence that smiling can change your mood, even if you don’t
feel like smiling?

In one study, researchers asked participants to hold a pen in their mouth in a way that either
forced them to smile or prevented them from smiling. Those who were forced to smile reported
happier emotions.

In another study in the journal Emotion, found that people who smiled while watching a
stressful scene in a movie had lower heart rates and reported lower stress than those who
didn’t smile.

Um what???

Next time you’re feeling down, upset or stressed, SMILE…even if you don’t feel like it.
Continue holding the smile until you notice your body and emotions begin to change. It works.

Try it!