Be Subversive: SMILE (and then act)

Given the nightmarish news, you may wonder why I suggest smiling—when the appropriate emotional response might be RAGE.

I don’t like for one nanosecond what’s going on politically—I feel both rage and sadness—but we’re playing the long game, and staying stuck in anger doesn’t help. Many of us are learning to walk the tightrope of staying (somewhat) informed without falling into a chasm of negativity.

That’s where smiling comes in. If it strengthens our neuro-emotional system, it might also make us more ready to act.

It’s the kind of subversive weapon we need.

Watching the Smile in the Mirror

Recently, I’ve returned to dancing Zumba after a five-year break, precipitated by the pandemic and funky hip problems. Boy, is it humbling!

While there’s no pressure to do more than I should, I hate slowing down when the music ramps up. But my out-of-shape muscles scream, “Warning! Warning!” if I push, jump, or twirl too much.

Still, watching myself in the mirror (and yes, I love to do that), I saw that I hadn’t lost one key set of muscles: my smile.

I was beaming—even on a day when the news felt dystopian.

I wasn’t alone. Other classmates were sharing my secret weapon (and smiling is contagious!). Like the woman who has spent her adult life working for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Or the lawyer who fights for immigrant rights. And others whose contributions I may not know but who, like me, feel disgust and disappointment about what’s happening politically.

As we danced and smiled, we recharged our systems. (The music and community didn’t hurt either.)

In my senior yoga class (and wow, am I stiff!), the teacher spoke about the power of smiling—both inner and outer smiles. Reading about the yogic tradition, I found ample support for smiling, which:

• Activates inner joy
• Enhances life force energy
• Releases tension
• Balances the nervous system
• Energetically opens the heart
• Fosters connection and compassion—especially when shared with others

Even Science is On Board

Research backs up the power of smiling:

• Even a forced smile can lower cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone.
• A 2012 University of Kansas study led by Tara Kraft and Sarah Pressman found that people who smiled during stressful tasks experienced lower heart rates and reduced stress responses compared to those with neutral expressions.
• Smiling also releases neuropeptides and endorphins, both essential to reducing stress.

And the best part? A smile costs nothing.

What About Forced Smiles?

The picture is mixed. The study above suggests that a forced smile can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and reducing stress. Yet, faking a smile over the long term can create emotional dishonesty.

My wonderful 1950s-era mother often wore a smile as a mask, hiding what she was really feeling. Her admonition to “Put on a happy face” didn’t ring true when it meant suppressing authentic emotions.

As adults, though, I think we can do both: feel the rage and acknowledge what’s painful on a personal or collective level—and generate an authentic, inner smile.

Because there’s always something good to notice:

• The smell of fresh rain.
• The robin amusing itself in the pond.
• The sight of a good friend smiling.
• A baby’s grin (thanks, Great-Grandbaby Charlotte!)

  

Smiling as a Subversive Art

With very little effort—and zero dollars—we can turn ourselves around with a smile (bonus points for laughing).

Once we loosen the grip of news-induced despair, we can think clearly about how we want to act. We’ll be calmer, more focused, more connected—and even fiercer.

Mother Teresa said, “Peace begins with a smile.” I’ll take it.

That’s why I consider it subversive. It gives us strength, and no one can take it from us.

So when you next see me—let’s smile. It might just be our secret handshake.