LAWRENCE, KANSAS (NEWS1130) – If you feel yourself starting to get riled-up over bad traffic or a frustrating co-worker, a new study finds all you need to do is smile.

According to the research, putting a smile on your face actually physically lowers your heart rate and reduces stress.

Researchers at the University of Kansas say activating the facial muscles used to smile automatically signals to the brain that you are happy. This process leads to the brain relaxing and calming down the body.

“It’s not just that our brains are happy and make us smile, it can also be the opposite–we feel the smile and become happy,” explains lead researcher Sarah Pressman, Ph.D., an assistant professor at the University of Kansas.

Perhaps most interestingly, the researchers found even those people who faked a smile reaped the benefits and saw their heart rate slow down.