Sunglasses Can Trick You Into Being Happier

Do you think people who wear sunglasses appear happier than others? They might be, and not just because they have a really cool appearance. Your brain is fooled into feeling better by sunglasses. Sunglasses' effectiveness is linked to how emotions operate in people. Perhaps you yourself aren't the best at keeping your emotions hidden, and you've probably heard some people described as wearing their hearts on their sleeves.

The way we act and look can affect how we feel, and even something as basic as frowning can make you feel depressed or even angry and hostile. To be clear, you don't necessarily need to be grinning to be sad or furious. The act of squinting and frowning in response to bright sunlight is sufficient to elicit the unfavorable feelings that are associated with frowning.

In a study, participants who used sunglasses said they were generally less furious and violent than those who did not. This seems to be consistent with earlier research that indicates even the act of smiling might produce hormones that reduce stress. Put on some shades to fool your brain into believing you're joyful if you're feeling a little tense on a sunny day.