Picture this scenario if you will: I am walking towards you and when I see you my eyes crinkle a little at the sides, the corners of my mouth expose my teeth to you. How do you interpret this? Do you cross the road to avoid me because I am clearly contemplating eating you? Of course, you don't, because you have recognised my facial contortions as a "smile", and smiles are good. At least, we have come to accept that a smile connotes amiable feelings, but how did we come to be smilers and are we the only species to do it? An examination of the human smile reveals just how much we are creatures not only of our evolution but also our society, and it might encourage you to do a little more smiling yourself.
Smile origins
We can't know exactly when the smile originated, but we can make a guess, and our best guess is that smiling began about 30 million years ago. Those in the know will realise that this predates humans by at least 20 million years, depending on where you want to draw the line in the evolutionary sand. It means therefore that species other than humans must also smile.
The 30 million years figure comes from researchers who found that both human and chimpanzee infants will show facial movements that resemble smiles when they are asleep. These facial expressions are known as "spontaneous smiles" and are considered the evolutionary origin of real smiles and laughter. It might not be too surprising that chimps smile, because we know they are relatively close to us on the evolutionary tree. However, these researchers also found that these spontaneous smiles also exist in Japanese macaques, a much more distant relative.
These spontaneous smiles in infants are probably designed to enhance their appeal to their parents, but in our world the types and meaning behind smiles is much more nuanced.
Smile types
This story is from the Issue 208 edition of WellBeing.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Issue 208 edition of WellBeing.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Avoid the Beauty Hype
Save money, improve your health and contribute to environmental sustainability by creating your own beauty products at home.
Fill your life with delicious scents
Fill your garden with scents and enjoy the sense of tranquillity and quiet joy that comes with them.
Protein - the building blocks of beauty
Chicken, turkey, beef, pork, lamb and organ meats such as pâté are all rich sources of high-quality protein.
Skincare that really cares
We put Sanctum's most popular products to the test and see why they're loved and adored by all.
Chelsea Pottenger - CARING FOR MENTAL HEALTH
Chelsea Pottenger, a mother, ambassador, keynote speaker and the founder and director of EQ Minds, is dedicated to reshaping the corporate landscape of mental health.
Green Beat
All the latest in environmental issues
Community-based prepping
Is the future going to look like it does at the present? Or might there be unexpected challenges? The answer is that challenges are likely and if not now, then soon. The real question becomes how we will respond to that disruption and achieve sustainable positive outcomes as a result.
Rest, roll and recover
Your body requires proper care and attention to function at its best. Just as you fuel your body with nutritious food, you must also provide it with adequate rest and recovery to maintain optimal health.
THE IMPORTANCE OF STILLNESS
In a busy world we say, \"Who has time for stillness?\" But the question should be: \"What are we really missing out on by not prioritising silent and soulful solitude?\"
Cucumbers
Cucumbers hydrate you and have potential antidiabetic, lipid lowering and antioxidant activity.
