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   Smile by Kesta Allen
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 elementary
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As a small act of kindness, a genuine smile from one person to another instantly instils a sense of well-being and contentment. A smile sends a universally recognised signal which physically affects our bodies by directly reducing stress-related cardiovascular responses. Smiling is the bedrock of all human social interaction.

People are highly social. We live in complex communities that allow us to thrive despite the threats and dangers presented by the outside world. Smiling is a survival strategy. It is a way that our


ancestors have developed in co-operating and getting along peacefully together on a day-to-day basis. The smile emerged as the single mostimportant way of keeping the peace amongst the group.

People are highly social. We live in complex communities that allow us to thrive despite the threats and dangers presented by the outside world. Smiling is a survival strategy. It is a way that our ancestors have developed in co-operating and getting along peacefully together on a day-to-day basis. The smile emerged as the single most important way of keeping the peace amongst the group.

Physically, a smile consists of the zygomatic major muscle pulling up the corners of the mouth. However, this simple description hides the fact that the zygomatic major works alongside other facial muscles to create a vast variety of smiles and friendly gestures. Some smiles tell others that we are happy and contented. Other smiles show that we are embarrassed or uncomfortable. There are even smiles that tell others we feel superior or inferior to them in a particular social situation.

Interestingly, it is the orbicularis oculi muscle that helps us differentiate a smile that is genuine from one that is false. The orbicularis oculi muscle surrounds the eyes. When this muscle contracts, it raises the cheeks and creates pouches in the lower eyelids. This action encourages the appearance of "crow's feet" or wrinkles around the eyes. Smiles that use this muscle are called Duchenne or D smiles after the French anatomist, Duchenne de Boulogne, who first recognised its importance and scientifically described its action. Not surprisingly, smiles that do not use this muscle are called non-Duchenne smiles, or non-D smiles.

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Glossary

Genuine (adj)
real and not false.

Cardiovascular (adj)
relating to the heart.

Wrinkles (n)
lines on the skin that appear as a person ages.
  Last Updated ( Monday, 03 August 2009 14:37 )