Photo by S&B Vonlanthen on Unsplash

Have you heard of mirror neurons? 

My little research today showed that when you smile, the world smiles back at you. 

How many times did you smile today? 

Are you aware how your facial expression affects your communication?

On my walk through the park today I decided to test mirror neurons. Have you heard of mirror neurons? They are a “type of brain cell that respond equally when we perform an action and when we witness someone else perform the same action.” In other words, we become a mirror of the other person. Mirror neurons were discovered in the early 1990s by neuroscientist Giacomo Rizzolatti, MD and basically they explain how we feel other people and they are the basis of empathy.

I tested today mirror neurons with a big smile on my face. As random people crossed my way, I would look them in the eye and give them a big smile. There were some people that were deeply consumed in their thoughts, there were people that were sitting on benches and talking with each other, there were people walking and talking on the phone, or just simply walking and one person was even crying. My path crossed with more than 50 people.

Can you guess how many smiled back?

All of them! Yes, all of them. I couldn’t believe it.

When we communicate we often forget that the expression on our face says more than our words. We are rarely aware of our facial expression when we speak. We are even less aware how we respond to the facial expression of the person we talk with. Taking into consideration mirror neurons, I challenge you in the next few days to become aware of your facial expression and how it affects your communication. What happens if you add a smile, even when you are talking about a serious topic? Also, notice how does the facial expression of the other affect your state and your feeling inside.

Did you know that children smile up to 400 times a day, while adults smile only about 20 times per day? How did we become so serious? How many times did you smile today?

My little research today showed that when you smile the world smiles back at you!