Laughter boosts health, but sincere smiling may extend life expectancy. Psychologists from Wayne State University in Detroit uncovered this in a compelling study.
Those who smile genuinely—engaging both mouth and eyes—tend to feel happier and healthier, mentally and physically. Greater well-being correlates with a longer lifespan, per the researchers.
The team analyzed 196 portrait photos of American baseball players from the 1952 Baseball Register, categorizing smiles as none, partial, or genuine (with crinkled eyes). They cross-referenced death records to determine average ages at passing.
Players showing no smile averaged 73 years. Among 64 with partial smiles, it was 75 years; the 23 with genuine smiles reached 80 years on average.
A recent study echoed this, finding frequent smilers in photos divorce less often.
