{"publisher":{"name":"MediaBias News","url":"https://mediabias.news","methodology":"https://mediabias.news/methodology","editorialPrinciples":"https://mediabias.news/editorial-principles","corrections":"https://mediabias.news/corrections"},"scoreGuide":{"trust":"How well corroborated and evidenced the source reporting is. 0-100, higher is better.","critic":"Craft quality of the source journalism: context, balance, fact vs comment. 0-100, higher is better.","hype":"How far the source presentation runs ahead of substance. 0-100, LOWER IS BETTER.","scope":"Scores assess the original reporting this article was written from, not the truth of the underlying event and not the quality of this write-up."},"assessmentGuide":{"type":"coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis","factCheck":{"status":"not-performed","note":"Media Bias News compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It does not currently publish a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true."},"sourceFactuality":{"note":"Factuality values describe published ratings of the outlets that covered the story. They are not a factuality verdict on this story or its claims."}},"story":{"id":"https://mediabias.news/health/smiling-can-improve-mood-and-health-experts-say","slug":"smiling-can-improve-mood-and-health-experts-say","url":"https://mediabias.news/health/smiling-can-improve-mood-and-health-experts-say","title":"Smiling can improve mood and health, experts say","subtitle":"The physical act of smiling may influence emotional state and physiological responses to stress.","excerpt":"Experts suggest that the act of smiling can positively impact mood and health by influencing emotions, stress hormones, and brain chemicals. Cultural perceptions of smiling vary, and forced smiling may not yield the same benefits.","category":"Health","area":null,"publishedAt":"2026-10-24T18:45:40.697Z","sourceReportedAt":"2026-10-24T15:21:15.000Z","updatedAt":"2026-10-24T18:45:40.697Z","readTime":"3 min read","scores":{"trust":48,"critic":60,"hype":15,"notes":{"trust":"Two full reports and 11 digests provide corroboration, with claims attributed to named experts.","critic":"The reporting clearly separates expert opinion from general advice and explains the 'facial feedback hypothesis'.","hype":"The headlines are direct and accurately reflect the content of the articles."}},"tags":["#Health","#Psychology","#Wellness","#FacialFeedbackHypothesis","#MentalHealth"],"entities":["Jeanne Tsai","Stanford University","Judy Ho","Pepperdine University","Nicholas Coles","University of Florida"],"body":[{"type":"key_takeaways","items":["Smiling can influence emotions and improve mood, according to the facial feedback hypothesis.","The act of smiling may affect cortisol levels and brain chemicals like endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin.","People who smile during stressful tasks may experience lower heart rates during recovery.","Cultural perceptions of smiling vary, with American culture valuing positivity and East Asian cultures emphasizing balance."]},{"type":"paragraph","text":"The physical act of smiling can influence a person's emotional state, according to experts. This concept is supported by the 'facial feedback hypothesis,' which suggests that the physical expression of an emotion can affect the feeling itself. Research indicates that smiling may also impact physiological responses, including stress hormone levels and the release of brain chemicals associated with positive feelings."},{"type":"paragraph","text":"Studies have shown that individuals who smile during stressful tasks may exhibit lower heart rates when recovering compared to those maintaining neutral expressions. This suggests that smiling can mitigate some of the body's physiological stress responses. Experts note that while smiling can be a useful coping strategy, it is one tool among many for managing mental well-being."},{"type":"heading","text":"Cultural differences in smiling"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"The perception and value placed on smiling can differ significantly across cultures. American culture tends to emphasize consistent positivity and the minimization of negative emotions. In contrast, East Asian cultures often value emotional balance, viewing positive and negative emotions as interconnected. Research has explored how different cultural groups perceive various facial expressions, with some East Asian cultures viewing overt smiles as potentially indicating emotional instability unless contextually appropriate."},{"type":"heading","text":"What the coverage left out"},{"type":"paragraph","text":"None of the right-rated digests mention the facial feedback hypothesis or the potential impact of smiling on cortisol levels and specific brain chemicals like endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin. The right-rated digest also does not mention the finding that smiling during stressful tasks may lead to lower heart rates during recovery."}],"basedOn":[{"sourceName":"Syracuse NY","url":"https://syracuse.com/us-news/2026/10/smiling-regularly-good-for-your-mood-and-health-study-reveals.html","headline":"Smiling regularly good for your mood and health, study reveals","angle":"","publishedAt":"2026-10-24T15:21:15.000Z"},{"sourceName":"Washington Times","url":"https://washingtontimes.com/news/2026/oct/24/smile-may-good-mood-health","headline":"Smile! 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Digests from Rocky Mountain Outlook, The Independent, Associated Press News, The Independent (US), and NBC Dallas-Fort Worth all stated that smiling regularly may improve mood and health. The digests from The Independent, Associated Press News, and The Independent (US) also noted that some campuses and workplaces are encouraging smiling and positivity, with experts confirming its potential benefits."],"centre":["Seven centre-rated reports highlighted the connection between smiling, mood, and health. Digests from Syracuse NY, WKMG, News 4 JAX, The Record, and Winnipeg Free Press stated that smiling regularly is good for mood and health. City News and Washington Top News, which provided full reports, detailed the facial feedback hypothesis, the potential impact on cortisol and brain chemicals like endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin, and the finding that smiling during stress can lower heart rates. 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