Few things transcend cultures, religions, races and languages. Yet we all have a smile. A smile is a universal sign of joy, easily understood by any person on Earth. Anywhere you travel, people understand the meaning of a smile. Even babies in their first few months of life react positively to a smile.

A smile is the most recognizable facial feature. And it can be seen from about 300 feet away, about the distance of a football field.

Your smile can give you a great head start on your first impression and set others at ease in all kinds of situations.

Smiling is budget-friendly; it costs nothing! You have an unlimited supply of them and do not need to recharge after use. In fact, instead of costing something, it benefits the user by boosting his health.

When you smile, the brain releases hormones, including dopamine, which helps you feel good, relieves stress, and builds up your immune system. Even a fake smile can improve your mood and help you feel more positive and happier. Personally, I have found this a great tool when children are in a sour mood. The phrase “fake it till you make it” rings true.

Smiling is also contagious. One smile often stimulates others to start smiling. They then start feeling better and are likelier to smile at the next person they see. You can start a domino effect of joy just by smiling.

Smiling as you read this article will probably help you enjoy it more. Try it right now and see if it works.

Proverbs 17:22 says, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” God designed this expression to help us. Smiling through a trial can help us have a positive perspective on that trial. Let a smile bring joy to you and those around you. Challenge yourself to smile at the first person you see each day; perhaps you will find it hard to stop with just one.

Gerald Flurry writes in John’s Gospel—The Love of God: “When I look at God’s people today, I can say we are not as happy as we ought to be. We ought to become happier. All of us can grow in that.” Striving to smile more can help us accomplish this goal. We should all aim to have a more positive attitude as we go about our day. Knowing what we know and looking forward to our future should cause us to beam with joy. We have so many reasons to smile, so why not start today?