Keep smiling — It is Free

“Let us always meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.” — Mother Teresa

“Keep smiling, it’s free.”
I saw this simple message today, casually written on the back of a car as it rolled by. It made me smile, but then I began to wonder:

What is it about something as small as a smile that has such an undeniable impact on us?

Why is it so easy to forget its importance when life feels heavy?

A smile — it’s universally understood, costs nothing, and yet it can brighten someone’s day or even change your mood. Despite being such an effortless gesture, we often underestimate its power. Don’t We? I do!!

Let’s reflect a little deeper on this and explore how something so seemingly trivial can be a profound tool for both personal growth and creating positive ripples in the world.

The Science of a Smile(Nothing Too Deep!!)

Smiling triggers the release of neuropeptides (such a big word. Isn’t it?) that help fight off stress. When you smile, your brain releases dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin (they are the Tom, Dick and Harry of our emotional selves), the trio responsible for making us feel happy, reducing blood pressure, and even boosting the immune system. Essentially, your body reacts to a smile like a small moment of triumph, rewarding you for something that didn’t even take much effort.

Isn’t it incredible? It takes about 12 muscles to smile (I was surprised to learn this), and in return, you get a mini mood lift. Whether you’re preparing for a UPSC exam (the exam I am preparing for) or wrapping your head around a complex algorithm, taking a moment to smile can be a quick reset button.

So, next time you’re in the midst of a difficult problem or when anxiety starts to creep in, remember that something as simple as a grin can turn things around, even if it’s just internally.

Now that we have understood the little science of the smile, let us see one of the advantages of the smile.

Smiling as an Emotional Bridge

We know that smiling can improve our emotional state, but what about others?

Humans are hardwired to mirror each other’s emotions. A genuine smile from someone else often compels us to smile back — it’s like a social boomerang. Isn’t it Wonderful that your 12 Muscles can make someone’s day?

In the context of relationships, a smile is one of the first bridges we build. Think about your interactions with friends, family, or even strangers. When you walk into a room and greet someone with a smile, you’re immediately signalling warmth, safety, and a willingness to connect. It’s one of the easiest ways to tell someone: “I see you, and I want you to feel at ease.” What else does one need?

This makes me think about how, in the world of computer science, connections between devices are built on protocols — sets of rules that ensure a smooth flow of information. Smiling, in a way, is a protocol for human interaction. It’s a small action with a massive impact on how smoothly relationships function. The beauty is that this protocol is understood universally — no configuration is needed. (Sorry for this example; My CS student crept in for this)

Smiling Through Adversity

But what about the times when smiling feels impossible? Life isn’t always rainbows and sunshine, and sometimes it feels downright wrong to smile. Perhaps you’re bogged down by exam pressure or uncertainty about your future career paths. Maybe personal challenges are weighing you down. In those moments, smiling feels almost forced, like a facade.

Here’s where the idea of a “resilient smile” comes into play. This doesn’t mean plastering on a grin and pretending everything’s fine. It’s more about finding strength in your vulnerability. Smiling in the face of difficulty can be a small act of defiance. It’s like saying, “I see the struggle, but you won’t defeat me.”

Philosophers like Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus have long talked about the importance of maintaining a sense of stability — a calmness in the face of trials. A smile can be a reflection of that inner calm. Think of it as a practice of Stoicism, a way to remind yourself that the situation doesn’t define you; your response does.

The Smile Economy

Now, let’s reflect on that car sticker again — “Keep smiling, it’s free.” The more I think about it, the more I realise it’s not just a clever phrase. It’s a quiet call to action. Smiling, much like kindness, is one of those rare things in life that gives as much as it takes and even more. It’s an infinite resource we can share without depleting.

But even though smiles are free, their value can’t be measured in a simple transaction. Every time you smile at someone, you’ve contributed to a subtle yet profound economy of goodwill (such a nice term).

This is especially important in a world where it often feels like everyone is stuck in their own bubble, staring at screens or lost in thoughts. A smile is an invitation to step out of that bubble, even for a second. It’s a reminder that we’re all in this together.

As UPSC aspirants, you might often find yourself buried in books, mentally preparing for a tough battle. But even in this rigorous, competitive environment, a smile can humanise the process. During group discussions or interview rounds, a sincere smile can set you apart by making you more approachable and memorable. In moments of high stress, it can be the difference between coming across as confident or frazzled.

Smiling and the Growth Mindset

There’s an interesting connection between smiling and maintaining a growth mindset.

Carol Dweck’s work on the growth mindset highlights how embracing challenges, persisting through obstacles, and seeing effort as the path to mastery can transform your personal and professional life.

Smiling, oddly enough, plays into this because it’s a reflection of how we approach life’s hurdles. Do we frown and fold, or do we smile and persist? When you face a setback with a smile, you’re subtly telling yourself that you believe in your ability to overcome it. It becomes a signal to your brain that says, “This is tough, but I’ve got this.”

In computer science terms, it’s like debugging your mind. Just as you would with a stubborn code that refuses to run, you analyse the problem, tweak your approach, and smile at the small wins along the way. With each tiny success, you reinforce the notion that failure isn’t final — it’s just a step toward the solution.

Share the Wealth

So, what’s the takeaway here?

It’s simple: Smile more.

Smile at strangers, smile at your friends, smile when you’re alone and deep in thought. Smile because it’s free and because the world could always use a little more positivity.

Start with something small today. When you’re out and about, offer a smile to at least three people (reminds me of a movie, Jai Ho, where the concept of 3 was used for doing good to one another and increasing the chain). Pay attention to their reactions, and notice how it makes you feel. Even if the world feels heavy, your smile has the power to light up a tiny corner of it.

And in return, you might find that the world smiles back at you.