However you show it, 90% of Brits say their mood improves when they’re smiled at, with the same number saying they wish more people would do so more often, according to new research from Primula.
A quarter of those surveyed as part of the Spread a Smile campaign, to support Make-A-Wish UK, say they rarely laugh or smile. Those that do estimate they smile around 16 times a day however, this varies throughout the UK with people in Brighton and Southampton saying they smile more than 20 times a day*, while people in London and Bristol smile the least.**
Primula is working with Make-A-Wish to raise enough money to make more children with life-threatening conditions smile this year through having their wishes granted – this positivity gives Make-A-Wish children and their families the strength to get through an incredibly difficult time. Throughout October and November, Primula will donate 20% of the profits from the sale of its special ‘Just Say Cheese’ tubes sold to Make-A-Wish.
“It’s true what they say, when you smile the world smiles back,” said TV presenter and broadcaster Angellica Bell who is famous for her smiles and positive outlook. “A simple smile can make a difference to our day-to-day lives, whether lifting our own mood or making someone we see feel better. Smiling raises your spirits and makes other people happy – it’s a very powerful expression and, like any habit, it gets much easier with practice.
“The survey showed 89% of adults agree a child smiling puts a smile on their face and that 90% of UK adults wish people smiled more in public, so our mission is to spread smiles to other people we see, whether it’s friends, family or even a stranger – we want to make the whole country smile.”
Joanne Micklewright, Head of Wishgranting at Make-A-Wish said: “Laughter really is the best medicine. A simple smile can make someone feel better when they’re unwell and we’re working with Primula to help raise enough money to spread this positivity by granting magical wishes for more children and young people fighting life-threatening conditions.
“Each year we aim to grant 1,000 wishes to help provide relief from medical appointments or hospital treatment and help both the wish child and their family feel more positive. Smile with us and raise awareness of our charity to help us reach our goal to grant even more wishes in the future.”
The British public is also being challenged to #spreadasmile on social media by sharing this video http://bit.ly/justsaycheese .
Make-A-Wish grants magical wishes to enrich the lives of children and young people fighting life-threatening conditions. For more details please visit www.make-a-wish.org.uk
For more information on Primula please visit www.primula.co.uk
