The Science of Smiling
The “warm fuzzies” you get from smiling aren’t a coincidence, it’s actually your brain following your facial cue!
by Darryl Davis
“Your smile is your logo, your personality is your business card, how you leave others feeling after having an experience with you becomes your trademark.”
There is a LOT of power in a smile.
One of the three books I’ve written is called How To Design A Life Worth Smiling About℠, and I wrote it because I believe smiling isn’t just about being happy—it’s about creating happiness. I discovered this truth years ago when I took a course at Berkeley University. That’s where I learned the science behind this simple expression—and how it could completely change how we show up in life and business.
In the real estate world, where your energy, empathy, and enthusiasm matter more than ever, smiling is a superpower you can’t afford to ignore.
Let’s Get Scientific
Your face is home to 44 muscles, which can make thousands of expressions. But when it comes to smiling, just 12 of those muscles fire a signal to your brain that says, “Hey, something good is happening!”
And your brain listens. In response, it releases a powerful chemical cocktail made up of:
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Dopamine (pleasure)
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Oxytocin (connection)
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Serotonin (well-being)
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Endorphins (pain relief and happiness)
Together, they form your daily D.O.S.E.® of feel-good chemicals. Smiling, quite literally, improves your mood—even when you fake it. That’s right. You don’t have to feel happy to smile—you can smile to start feeling happy.
Let’s Get Scientific
We have 44 muscles in our face, which is how we can make thousands of facial expressions. But what’s really interesting is getting down to the scientific chemical level to learn this: when you smile, 12 of those muscles actually send a signal to your brain that something good is happening, therefore, the brain responds to this signal by generating the “feel good” chemicals. When you smile, it’s like a light switch flips in your brain on a chemical level.
What are these “feel good” chemicals, you as? The chemicals that are generated in the brain are actually dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins, and those four chemicals make an acronym — D.O.S.E.®.
TIP: Read about this amazing brain boost: “The Health Benefits of Smiling” by SCL Health.
It’s Not Just About You
Every time you smile, you give yourself a shot of those “feel-good” chemicals—but the real magic? It affects everyone around you.
Smiling is contagious.
When you smile at someone else, their brain mirrors the expression and starts producing those same D.O.S.E.® chemicals. Whether it’s a nervous seller, a stressed-out buyer, or a burned-out colleague—your smile can shift the emotional climate of the entire conversation.
In a business built on relationships, that kind of ripple effect matters.
Where Agents Should Use This Strategy
Let’s turn this into a real-world real estate lesson:
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Listing appointments: Begin with a smile. It instantly builds trust and positions you as confident, warm, and competent. Sellers decide quickly if they feel safe with you—and your smile opens that door.
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Prospecting calls: Smile before you speak. People hear smiles. It softens your tone and makes your message more inviting—especially over the phone or Zoom.
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Tough negotiations: A calm, empathetic smile during a stressful moment can lower defenses and increase cooperation. It helps you remain a steady, trusted advisor—even when emotions run high.
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Social media and marketing: Use real photos that show your smile. You’ll come across as more relatable and approachable, which helps build connection before people even meet you.
Smiling is free. It doesn’t require a script, a fancy tool, or hours of training. It just takes intention.
Your Smile Homework
This week, I’m giving you some science homework:
Be aware of your face.
Notice how often you smile throughout the day. Practice smiling before you start calls, meet clients, or even open your inbox. Watch how people respond to you—and how you start to feel more energized and present.
Your smile is an antidepressant that doesn’t require a prescription—but it just might change everything.
TIP: Here’s today’s Rx…a smile D.O.S.E.® for you! “Motivational Quotes for Real Estate Agents”
What’s Next?
Are you ready to start taking things to the Next Level®? If you don’t already know what you need to do to get to your next level, we can help!
Power Agents®, for more Smile D.O.S.E.® tips and tricks, check out the Smile Techniques tab in the Classroom so you are prepared for anything your reluctant seller has to say. Whether you need a boost of confidence or empowering strategies, Darryl will help you get the skills you need to be the go-to agents for the buyers and sellers in your farm area.
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