Happy children are often the product of parents who smile, according to a study from Wayne State University. The research, which analysed 481 photographs of Major League Baseball players taken in 1952, found a link between the breadth of the parents’ smiles and their children’s wellbeing. Players with the broadest smiles lived an average of seven years longer than those who didn’t smile in their photos. Their children also reported higher levels of happiness and satisfaction.
This correlation is thought to be due to mirror neurons – cells in the brain that mimic the actions and emotions of others. When parents smile, children mirror this behaviour and associated positive emotions, leading to increased happiness. This also contributes to the development of emotional intelligence, a crucial factor in personal and professional success.
However, the study also found that forced smiles don’t have the same effect. Genuine smiles, known as Duchenne smiles, involve the muscles around the eyes and mouth, and are linked to real feelings of happiness. Therefore, parents should focus on cultivating genuine happiness, which will naturally involve more authentic smiling. This, in turn, promotes happiness and emotional intelligence in their children.
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