Will smiling really help make me feel better to exercise?

Smiling has been proven to make people feel better in practically every situation. The actual act of smiling feeds positive energy to your brain letting your brain know that everything is good, which leads to a sense of euphoria and positive actions. Smiling is also addictive. If other people see you smile, they smile. The simple act feeds into social connectivity, conversation and a positive mood. 

Not meaning to be glib, but think about your facial expression as the posture of your face.

It has been shown that a person’s emotional state affects their posture. A person who is feeling "the blues" may slouch, lower their eyes, and walk with a shuffling motion rather than stepping out with firm confidence, erect spine and level gaze. Brain chemistry is also affected by this emotion, and the posture reinforces the emotion. The brain controls your posture; that is, all muscles are controlled by neural impulses, and your muscles maintain your posture. We store emotions in our bodies, and posture is indicative of this dynamic.

When we get caught up in negative/depressing thoughts, those thoughts affect both our brain chemistry and posture. Frown lines set into our face, eyelids may droop, and shoulders slump forward and down. Breathing is shallow. Conversely, posture and movement affect brain chemistry and mood as well.

You are not your brain or your thoughts, but you are deeply affected by both. The brain associates mood and posture, and you can "trick" your brain by changing your posture.

Think about your facial expression as the posture of the face, or at least as part of your overall posture. With shoulders back and chest expanded, hold your head up and pull the muscles of the face into a smile "posture." The brain recognizes the neurological impulses firing the muscles into stronger posture and responds accordingly.

Try this: Learn to use posture to interrupt feelings.

• Catch yourself in a frown, and identify the thought(s) going through your head at the time.
• Stand up straight; breathe strongly and deeply for three or four breaths. Breathe deeper and more forcefully than when at rest.
• Focus your eyes intently straight ahead.
• Continue breathing strongly and deeply.
• Smile gently and rhythmically walk in place with large steps and an exaggerated arm swing.

Thirty seconds should be enough. Now go back to what you were doing paying attention to how you are feeling differently. It’s there. Change your mood with your posture, activity, and a smile.