According to research, the average woman smiles approximately 62 times per day, while the average man only smiles about 8 times per day. Why is it that women smile more often than men?
The Reasons
There are several reasons for this gender discrepancy, but one of the most important is muscle mechanics.
The Brain Controls the Muscles Used in Smiling
A special area in the brain called Brodmann’s Area 44 controls facial movements to make someone smile and laugh. This part of the brain is larger in women than men, which may explain why they smile more often than their male counterparts.
Women Have Better Control Over Their Facial Muscles
Women can hold their smiles for longer periods of time than men without feeling tired.
Women Often Have Less Stress Hormones in Their Bodies
Women do not produce as many stress hormones than men such as cortisol, so they can keep smiling when the times get tough.
Women Are Better at Recognizing Facial Expressions Than Men
This means they can tell when someone else is sad or happy. Women will often smile back at those smiling because they want to make the person feel better too.
Women Tend to Be More Empathetic
This makes them better at connecting with others emotionally, leading them to smile more often than men. Women also smile because it is part of how they show affection towards others in social situations where there is not much physical contact like hugging or kissing. This is especially true when greeting someone new at work or meeting an old friend again after many years apart.
