12 surprising facts that will brighten your day and bring a smile to your face

 

  In our day to day life, a torrent of new information flows. We hear about current events, listen to the news, scroll through social media posts, get notifications, receive comments and share posts. Sometimes, this abundance of information can be beneficial, as we have never had faster and more comprehensive access to information than we do now. We can learn and communicate faster than at any other time in history.

However, much of what we learn has a negative impact on our well-being. A large percentage of people report that media causes them stress. Social media, in particular, is associated with emotional distress, anxiety and feelings of vulnerability. These days, it can seem exhausting to explore the internet or try to learn new things. It's hard to find information that makes us laugh or lifts our spirits when we're feeling down.

So we'll focus on facts and stories that are sure to bring a smile to our faces. Research shows that smiling is one of the fastest ways to improve your mood and make your day brighter. Smiling releases endorphins and serotonin that make you feel happy and relaxed. If you are among the many people who feel overwhelmed by stress and negativity, these 12 facts may help you smile, laugh, and remind you how beautiful the world is.

   12 Amazing Facts That Will Make You Smile

 Why Smile?
Every day, we’re bombarded with new information. We hear about current events, listen to stories in the news, and scroll through posts on social media. In some ways, all this exposure is good. We have never had more access to information than we do right now. We can learn more and communicate faster than at any point in history. But much of what we learn has a negative impact on our well-being. A large percentage of people say the media stresses them out. Social media, especially, is correlated with emotional distress, anxiety, and feelings of vulnerability. These days, it feels punishing to explore online or try to learn new things. It’s hard to find information that genuinely makes you laugh or lifts you when you’re feeling down.

That’s why, in this article, we’re going to focus on facts and stories that are sure to make you smile. Research shows that smiling is one of the quickest ways to improve your mood and generally brighten your day. It releases endorphins and serotonin that make you feel happier and more relaxed. If you’re one of many people feeling overwhelmed by stress and negativity, these twelve facts might help you smile, laugh, and remember how happy the world can be.

  1. Penguins Make Proposals

Penguins have no problem charming a human audience. At zoos around the world, penguin exhibits are some of the most popular and beloved. Who doesn’t like watching these adorable birds hop, swim, and wiggle their feathers? Humans are easily impressed, but it takes extra effort for penguins to woo members of their own kind.

If a male Gentoo penguin wants to impress a female, they may perform a special romantic ritual. The males will find the slickest, shiniest rock on the beach and offer it to the mate of their choice. If she accepts, the two penguins become mating partners. If that wasn’t charming enough, the happy couple uses that shiny pebble as the foundation for their nest, where they’ll raise their babies. Leave it to these adorable birds to remind us how sweet love can be.

  2. Lucky Charms Actually Work

Many people carry lucky items, like pens or neckties, that seem to bring them good fortune. While these charms may not make us lucky, one study found that they do improve our performance. According to a 2010 study from the University of Cologne, people carrying good luck charms perform better on average than people who don’t.

To be clear, this doesn’t mean that your lucky pair of underpants changes how the universe works. More likely, the results can be explained by a placebo effect. If you feel lucky, there’s a good chance you’ll perform at your best.

  3. Cows Have Best Friends

Humans aren’t the only animals that value close friendships. Just like we create strong platonic bonds, researchers at Northampton University found that cows have best friends of their own. Not only do they enjoy spending time in groups, but they also become attached to certain platonic partners, much like humans and our best friends.

When they’re together, cow best friends experience less stress and lower heart rates, leading to greater health and well-being. We may not think of cows as loving social creatures, but you’d be surprised how meaningful their relationships can be.

  4. Squirrels Adopt Orphans

Squirrels are generally asocial animals. They fight over food and territory and typically live alone. But scientists have uncovered a kinder side of squirrels we never knew existed. If a baby squirrel is separated from its family, other related adults will go out of their way to adopt them. For these vulnerable pups, they provide food and shelter, raising them as if they were their own.

You may be delighted to learn that adoptions are common in the animal kingdom. From squirrels to dolphins, elephants, and dogs, never underestimate the kindness and generosity of good parents.

 5. Joy Beyond Translation

Have you ever seen a puppy so fluffy and adorable you wanted to squeeze it in your arms? We all know what this joyous experience feels like, but it’s a difficult emotion to describe. It’s so difficult that we don’t have a word for this emotion in English. Luckily, there is one in Tagalog, a major language spoken in the Philippines. The word “gigil” describes an overwhelming urge to grab, pinch, or pick up something adorable. Not only is it a happy-sounding word, but it reminds us of something that’s sure to make you smile. No matter where you go or where you’re from, adorable things bring people joy.

  6. Sea Otters Hold Hands

Sea otters are interesting and playful animals with all kinds of adorable quirks. If you’ve ever seen sea otters at the zoo or in the wild, you’ve probably seen them napping in the water, floating on their backs, and basking in the sun. But sleeping in the ocean comes with its risks. For example, otters may drift away from their friends and families while they sleep.

To make sure they keep their loved ones close, sleeping otters often hold hands during their daily naps. This adorable habit keeps otter families together and serves as a bonding experience for these loveable social animals.

  7. Sometimes Wishes Come True

Every holiday season, children around the world send letters to the North Pole, hoping Santa Claus will grant their holiday wishes. These letters may be addressed to Santa, but many find their way to a group of postal elves in snowy Canada. For more than four decades, benevolent volunteers at the Canada Post have replied to letters from children around the world. They respond to more than a million letters to Santa every year, taking the time to decorate and personalize each child’s note. Leave it to these generous volunteers to remind us that wishes sometimes do come true.

  8. Dogs Really Love Us

Dogs may be man’s best friend, but do they feel the same way? For many years, we thought dogs only acted like our friends because we give them food and a comfortable place to sleep. There’s no question that we love our dogs, but do they love us back?

According to the American Kennel Club, dogs and humans do form strong, loving bonds. When we interact, both dogs and humans experience rushes of oxytocin, sometimes called the love hormone. Brain scans also show that dogs become happier when they sense the smell of their owner as well as familiar dogs.

Not only do our dogs love us, but they often share our emotional states. For example, if you are calm and relaxed, your dog is likely to feel the same way. But if your emotions rise to a fever pitch, your dog is going to feel similarly anxious or afraid. It’s because of this emotional bond that dogs and humans form loving and trusting relationships. So, if you feel like your dog loves you, it’s because, at some level, they really do.

  9. Father of the Year

In 1972, American astronaut Eugene Cernan became the eleventh person to walk on the moon, but he may be most famous for something he left behind on the lunar surface. Cernan was the commander of the Apollo 17 space mission, which touched down on the Moon in 1972. Along with three other astronauts, Cernan was responsible for surveying the lunar surface and collecting samples to bring back to Earth. But he had something else in mind.

After completing their mission, the astronauts returned to their craft, but Cernan spared a few moments to make a very special gesture. On the surface of the Moon, he dropped to one knee and carved his daughter’s initials into the ground. Since the moon doesn’t experience weather and has no significant atmosphere, his daughter’s initials may stay there forever. If that doesn’t win him Father of the Year, we don’t know what would.

  10. Dolphins Name Themselves

Many people think naming is unique to humans, but there’s at least one other animal that uses names to communicate. In 2006, researchers found that bottlenose dolphins call to each other using distinct whistles. When dolphins hear their unique sound, they respond with a whistle of their own. In other words, if a dolphin hears its name, it’ll answer, just like we do.

Similar vocalizations are common among pods of orcas. These animals frequently use different calls to communicate. Interestingly, Orca calls differ depending on where the animals are from, almost as if they’re speaking different languages. Some orcas even use dialects that resemble accents among humans. We may not understand the intricacies of their language, but these clever animals have a lot to say.

  11. Volunteers Live Longer

There are plenty of great reasons to give back to your community. Volunteering improves real people’s lives and makes the world a better place. But did you know it can lengthen the span of your life? According to the journal Health Psychology, people who volunteer tend to live longer. This comes from a study of more than 7,000 Americans, many of whom volunteered on a regular basis. Those who gave back to others experienced lower stress and greater physical well-being. They also reported feelings of happiness and fulfillment. If you need another reason to give back, add this one to the list. Volunteering isn’t just good for the world; it’s great for you, too.

  12. Trees Fighting Back

Every day, around the world, millions of trees are planted by people of all ages and backgrounds. These tree-planting efforts, whether part of organized campaigns or individual initiatives, represent a global commitment to healing our planet and investing in a greener, more sustainable future. This collective action not
 
Laughter and smiles have a tremendous power to improve our mood and lift our spirits, and fortunately, the world is full of facts and stories that can bring a smile to our faces. From the romantic love rituals of penguins to the deep friendship between cows, these examples from nature and the world around us remind us that there are many beautiful and admirable things around us.

From gentle rituals and acts of kindness to acts of kindness that extend our lives, there is always something that can brighten our day and make us smile. So, take a moment to enjoy these stories and share them with others. Let's always remember that there is beauty and joy in every corner of this world, and all we need is a little curiosity and a smile to see it in us and our neighbors.


 

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