Smile! It’s a new year!

If you’re having trouble coming up with a New Year’s resolution, here’s one. It’s something living in Mexico has taught me: smile more!

Walking around town, I can always tell who’s from Mexico. They smile, nod and say “¡Hola!” or “¡Buenas tardes!”

Smiling is contagious. If someone smiles at you, it’s hard not to smile back.

Smiles often start conversations and help us feel connected to our fellow human beings.

Plus there are health benefits.

Medical experts tell us that smiling lowers our stress hormones, and causes our brains to release mood-boosting chemicals like dopamine and serotonin.

When we’re sad, smiling through our tears can make us feel better, even if we force ourselves to smile.

Smiling can reduce our perception of pain, calm our nervous system, give us a sense of wellbeing—a feeling that everything’s going to be OK.

So smile more in 2026! It won’t cost you a thing, but it will pay you dividends all year long!

¡Feliz Año Nuevo!

Happy New Year!