Ace of Diamonds
Smiling Uses Less Muscles Than Frowning

It takes nearly 4 times as many muscles to frown than it does to smile!

Smiling is easy! Just think of something that makes you happy or grateful, and let that feeling show on your face by gently curving your lips upward. You can smile when you greet someone, when you say thank you, or even when you’re just walking around. It doesn’t have to be a big grin—a small, genuine smile can make a big difference.

Smiling uses fewer muscles than frowning, so it’s easier on your face and can help you feel more relaxed. Plus, smiling can make you and the people around you feel happier, making it a simple way to spread joy and improve your mood!

When you smile, a few muscles in your face help make it happen. The main ones are the zygomaticus major and zygomaticus minor (Big Z and Small Z for short). These muscles pull the corners of your mouth up to make you smile. Smiling uses just a few muscles, making it easier than frowning! (reference 1)

Small changes CAN make a big difference – that’s what The 1% Kids’ Club is all about.

No one knows exactly how many muscles it takes to smile or frown because everyone’s smile can look a little different. Plus, not everyone has the same number of muscles in their face, so it can vary from person to person.

HowStuffWorks. (2009, June 2). How many muscles does it take to smile? Retrieved August 29, 2024, from https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/inside-the-mind/emotions/muscles-smile.htm