Here's a neat study(pdf) I just came across. The intensity of a person's yearbook smile at age 21 predicted happiness levels up to 30 years later. The study gets into the mechanics of it, but it appears that allowing the expression of positive emotion yields real-world benefits. And the greater intensity of the smile (the more expression of positive emotions), the greater the benefits.
Here's a neat study(pdf) I just came across. The intensity of a person's yearbook smile at age 21 predicted happiness levels up to 30 years later. The study gets into the mechanics of it, but it appears that allowing the expression of positive emotion yields real-world benefits. And the greater intensity of the smile (the more expression of positive emotions), the greater the benefits.
It's good to be happy!