Have you been on a receiving end of a warm smile from a stranger, in the street, or at a grocery store or at work? How did you feel?

Smile is like a hug and can be very uplifting. Some benefits of smile are known to be lowering of heart rate, reducing stress, killing pain, increasing productivity and boosting the immune system. 

When I started my new job, people at my work were very serious mostly due to their cultural and up-bringing. I decided to change the environment around myself. I started smiling at people who I did not know at work. At first it was awkward. Sometimes they did not smile back at me. After couple of months, now when those strangers at work see me they smile without any effort.

Make an intention to smile at strangers at work or in a store. Observe their reaction and observe how you feel inside. This may be one of the best gift you can give to yourself and others.

Copyright . 2015 by Shervin Hojat