Brighten the Barn – The Power of Smiles

Let’s face it, our industry is faced with a lot of demands. We have so much to do, and not enough time or money to do it all. It’s way too easy to get caught up in the grind. But I have something simple for you that will make everything a little bit easier.

It will make you feel better, it will make your students feel more comfortable, it will help keep your volunteers and coworkers motivated!

I want you to walk around your barn and SMILE!

I’m joking right? …. Nope! Just Smile!

There is plenty of science behind it! Smiling can have a significant positive impact on both yourself and others helping improve mood and social connections. Smile because your brain releases endorphins that promote the feeling of happiness and helps reduce stress by lowering the levels of cortisol. Smiling at others signals friendliness and warmth making those in your barn feel more comfortable.

Plus, it’s a universal expression of happiness and positivity! Now, here’s the part that is interesting … you can fake it! There is research on faking smiles, also known as “social” or “polite” smiles, and their effects on individuals and social interactions. Even a smile that is initially forced or insincere, sends signals to your brain that mimic the movements associated with genuine smiling. This can lead to the release of neurotransmitters such as endorphins and serotonin, which are associated with feelings of pleasure and happiness.

The act of smiling can actually stimulate positive emotions, even if those emotions weren’t initially present. Additionally, smiling can have a reciprocal effect on others, leading to positive responses. Their positive response reinforces your own feelings of happiness and enhances your mood. 

So, smile at your students, smile at your families, smile at your volunteers, smile at your coworkers. You can even smile at your horses but that is a whole different research topic!