--- title: "Smiling can improve mood and health, experts say" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/health/smiling-can-improve-mood-and-health-experts-say" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/smiling-can-improve-mood-and-health-experts-say" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/health/smiling-can-improve-mood-and-health-experts-say.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/smiling-can-improve-mood-and-health-experts-say" category: "Health" published: "2026-10-24T18:45:40.697Z" source_reported: "2026-10-24T15:21:15.000Z" updated: "2026-10-24T18:45:40.697Z" trust_score: 48 critic_score: 60 hype_score: 15 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-10-24T19:45:05.719216+00:00" --- # Smiling can improve mood and health, experts say *The physical act of smiling may influence emotional state and physiological responses to stress.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 48 of 100, higher is better. Two full reports and 11 digests provide corroboration, with claims attributed to named experts. - Craft 60 of 100, higher is better. The reporting clearly separates expert opinion from general advice and explains the 'facial feedback hypothesis'. - Hype 15 of 100, lower is better. The headlines are direct and accurately reflect the content of the articles. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - 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. 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. 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. ## Cultural differences in smiling 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. ## What the coverage left out 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. ## Who covered it Shares of the 13 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 46% (6) - Centre: 46% (6) - Right: 8% (1) 0 of 13 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-10-24T19:45:05.719216+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 7 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-10-24T20:30:06.797Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - Five left-rated reports focused on the potential health benefits of smiling. 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. These full reports also discussed cultural variations in smiling and the potential negative effects of mandated smiling. ### Right - The single right-rated report, a digest from Washington Times, stated that smiling may be good for mood and health. It also mentioned that reminding oneself to smile often can lead to more friendships and make a person feel better. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - mixed: 2 - high: 2 - veryHigh: 9 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [Syracuse NY](https://syracuse.com/us-news/2026/10/smiling-regularly-good-for-your-mood-and-health-study-reveals.html) — Smiling regularly good for your mood and health, study reveals - [Washington Times](https://washingtontimes.com/news/2026/oct/24/smile-may-good-mood-health) — Smile! It may be good for your mood and for your health - [Rocky Mountain Outlook](https://rmoutlook.com/lifestyle/cracking-a-smile-regularly-may-be-good-not-just-for-your-mood-but-for-your-health-12934261) — Cracking a smile regularly may be good not just for your mood but for your health - [City News](https://toronto.citynews.ca/2026/10/24/cracking-a-smile-regularly-may-be-good-not-just-for-your-mood-but-for-your-health) — Cracking a smile regularly may be good not just for your mood but for your health - [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/news/people-research-stanford-university-southern-california-american-b3072687.html) — Cracking a smile regularly may be good not just for your mood but for your health - [Associated Press News](https://apnews.com/article/smiling-health-benefits-3db9590cadb4fd062c0977a7e0fabbb0) — Cracking a smile regularly may be good not just for your mood but for your health - [Washington Top News](https://wtop.com/national/2026/10/cracking-a-smile-regularly-may-be-good-not-just-for-your-mood-but-for-your-health) — Cracking a smile regularly may be good not just for your mood but for your health – WTOP News - [The Independent (US)](https://the-independent.com/news/people-research-stanford-university-southern-california-american-b3072687.html) — Cracking a smile regularly may be good not just for your mood but for your health - [WKMG](https://clickorlando.com/health/2026/10/24/cracking-a-smile-regularly-may-be-good-not-just-for-your-mood-but-for-your-health) — Cracking a smile regularly may be good not just for your mood but for your health - [News 4 JAX](https://news4jax.com/health/2026/10/24/cracking-a-smile-regularly-may-be-good-not-just-for-your-mood-but-for-your-health) — Cracking a smile regularly may be good not just for your mood but for your health - [NBC Dallas-Fort Worth](https://nbcdfw.com/news/national-international/smile-regularly-good-for-mood-health/4095255) — Cracking a smile regularly may be good not just for your mood but for your health - [The Record](https://therecord.com/life/health-wellness/cracking-a-smile-regularly-may-be-good-not-just-for-your-mood-but-for-your-health/article_be896e4d-0338-52f1-8f70-cbaa9c32632e.html) — Cracking a smile regularly may be good not just for your mood but for your health - [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/2026/10/24/cracking-a-smile-regularly-may-be-good-not-just-for-your-mood-but-for-your-health) — Cracking a smile regularly may be good not just for your mood but for your health ## Questions **How does smiling affect emotions?** According to the facial feedback hypothesis, the physical act of smiling can influence emotional state. Experts suggest this may also affect stress hormones like cortisol and brain chemicals associated with positive feelings, such as endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin. **Can smiling help during stressful situations?** Yes, research suggests that people who smile during stressful tasks may show lower heart rates during recovery compared to those with neutral expressions. Smiling can also reduce aspects of the body's physiological stress response. **Is the value of smiling the same everywhere?** No, the perception and value of smiling can vary across cultures. American culture often emphasizes positivity, while East Asian cultures may value emotional balance. Some cultures may view overt smiles differently depending on the situation. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/health/smiling-can-improve-mood-and-health-experts-say. 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