Top 30 things that make us smile revealed – including kind gestures and sunny mornings

THE top 30 simple things that make us smile include a kind gesture from a stranger, waking up on a sunny morning – and seeing an elderly couple holding hands.

A study of 2,000 adults found that seeing a loved one receive good news, receiving a surprise gift and a hug also made the list.

While others experience the same joy after going to bed with freshly laundered sheets, seeing an old friend, and watching a puppy.

But for 46 percent of people, simply having someone smiling at you makes you feel happy, with 65 percent of adults saying it improves their mood.

This positive boost lasts an average of more than 13 minutes, leaving them more likely to be kinder to others (37 percent), more motivated (19 percent) or make a bold decision (9 percent).

Bupa Dentistry commissioned the research as part of National Smile Month, to highlight the benefits a friendly gesture can bring.

However, in one experiment, only 21% of adults reciprocated a stranger’s friendly gesture.

Over a two-hour period, actress Zara Naeem smiled at 112 different people as they walked past her – with just 24 responding with the same expression.

Psychologist Jo Hemmings said: “When we smile, a series of psychological and physiological changes occur that affect both ourselves and those around us.

“Smiling releases endorphins, dopamine and serotonin – hormones that improve our mood and our sense of well-being – and also reduces cortisol, our stress hormone, making us feel less anxious and more relaxed.

“A genuine, spontaneous smile that reaches our eyes – known as a Duchenne smile – can also reduce our blood pressure and stimulate our immune system, increasing our production of white blood cells.

“Smiles also have a positive effect on the people around us, reinforcing friendship, kindness and social bonds, as well as having a contagious effect, creating positivity in those who receive a smile.”

The survey also found that the average adult claims to smile at a stranger five times a week – but 16% admit they rarely or never return the gesture.

Of these, a third blame it on the simple fact that they are lost in their own thoughts and not paying attention to what is happening around them, while 20% blame it on haste.

But 27 percent avoid smiling at others for fear they might “look weird” and 14 percent are too embarrassed.

However, when a stranger smiles at them, half of adults feel happy and 32% feel uplifted.

Others feel comforted (11 percent), “warm and fuzzy” (15 percent) and confident (11 percent).

Less than one in ten felt a negative emotion, such as confusion (eight percent) or skepticism (nine percent).

Despite this, less than half (48 percent) always return a smile from a stranger, with 34 percent of respondents worried that the smile is not meant for them.

While 32% say they are so surprised by the gesture that they don’t react quickly enough.

But when the smile isn’t returned, 30% are still glad they made the effort – because you never know what’s going on in someone’s life.

Caitlin Miller, head of dental hygiene and therapy at Bupa Dental Care, which turns 25 in 2024, added: “The power of a smile is enormous – especially when it comes from someone else and is unexpected.

“We’ve all been there, when we fail to smile back at someone, but also when we notice a stranger’s smile, and it prepares us positively for the day.

“The impact this can have on you and someone else cannot be underestimated.

“Seeing someone’s pearly whites can give you the boost you need to get through the day, and the more people love their smile by taking care of their teeth, the more likely they are to share it with others, and everyone can enjoy the benefits it brings. .”