Half-smiling involves relaxing the face, neck, and shoulders, and then turning up the corners of your mouth slightly. A half-smile can reduce stress, lower your heart rate, boost your immune system, and improve your mood. Studies suggest that smiling may enhance our capacity to tolerate distress, especially for those who value and attend to their emotional experiences.
The DBT Half Smile Worksheet features a two-page activity in which clients are asked to describe their relationship with smiling and identify situations they are willing to practice the skill. In a separate activity, they can reflect on or describe their distressing situation and rate the intensity of their emotions before and after using the half smile skill.
These worksheets are designed to help children and teenagers understand the powerful link between their bodies and emotions through smiling. After completing them, they can further reinforce their learning by integrating half-smiling activities into their daily routine — upon waking up in the morning, at bedtime, and whenever they feel anxious.
To help reinforce the half smile skill users can incorporate our DBT Half Smile and Willing Hands handout.
*This item is an instant digital download. A link to download your files will be emailed to you once payment is confirmed.
Want more resources like this? Check out our full catalog of DBT worksheets and handouts.
References:
- Chung, J. J., Wakefield, M. A., Austin, S. B., & Chapman, A. L. (2021). Smiling to tolerate distress: The moderating role of attention to emotion. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science / Revue canadienne des sciences du comportement, 53(1), 59–70. https://doi.org/10.1037/cbs0000188
- Lp, J. E. P. (2015b). Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Training with Adolescents: A Practical Workbook for Therapists, Teens & Parents. PESI Publishing & Media.
- Linehan, M. M. (2014). DBT skills training handouts and worksheets. Guilford Publications.
