Seven Things That Happen When You Smile.
A smile a day keeps the doctor away
Many people believe that smiling is just an instinctive reaction to things that make you happy or make you laugh. While this is correct, it ignores a crucial point: smiling may be a deliberate, intentional choice. It appears that whether your smile is genuine or not, it may have a good effect on your body and mind, benefiting your health, mood, and even the emotions of others around you.
1. Smiling Helps You Live Longer
Perhaps the most compelling reason to smile is that it may help you live longer. According to one 2010 study, real, passionate smiling is connected with longer life. [1]
Overall, cheerful people appear to have greater health and lifespan, though more study is needed to determine why. Happiness has been shown in studies to extend longevity by years, implying that keeping a cheerful, good attitude is an important element of living a healthy lifestyle. [2]
2. Smiling Elevates Mood
Try putting on a smile the next time you’re feeling depressed. There’s a strong possibility that your mood will improve. The physical act of smiling really stimulates pathways in your brain that impact your emotional state, implying that you may “trick” your mind into attaining a state of happiness by adopting a joyful facial expression. This is true whether your smile is genuine or not.
A simple grin can cause the production of neuropeptides, which increase brain communication, as well as neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin, which can improve your mood. Consider smiling to be a natural antidepressant.
3. Relieves Stress
Stress can permeate our entire being, and it can really show up in our faces. Smiling not only helps to prevent us from looking tired, worn down, and overwhelmed but it can actually help decrease stress.
Believe it or not, smiling can reduce stress even if you don’t feel like smiling or even if you fake it with a smile that isn’t genuine. When you are stressed, take the time to put on a smile. You and those around you will reap the benefits.
4. Smiling Is Contagious
How many times have you heard that a smile can light up a room? While it is a lovely sentiment, it also has a grain of reality. Smiling not only improves your happiness, but it may also improve the moods of others around you.
Your brain naturally detects and analyzes other people’s facial expressions, and you may even copy them at times. That is, you may notice someone else’s grin and subconsciously smile yourself. Yes, it has been scientifically established that smiles spread.
5. Smiling Boosts the Immune System
Smiling can also improve your general health by allowing your immune system to work more efficiently. Immune function is considered to increase when you smile because you are calmer (thanks to the release of certain neurotransmitters). Smiling may help you maintain your general health or improve your immune system in preparation for cold and flu season.
6. Smiling May Lower Blood Pressure
Smiling could have a beneficial impact on your blood pressure. Laughter specifically seems to lower blood pressure, after causing an initial increase in heart rate and breathing. While smiling has been shown to lower your heart rate in the face of stress, more research is needed to determine exactly how it reduces blood pressure.[3]
You can try testing this idea for yourself if you have a blood pressure monitor at home. Sit for a few minutes and take a reading. Then smile for a minute and take another reading while still smiling. Do you notice a difference?
7. Smiling Makes You Attractive
We are attracted to those who smile. While more extreme or negative facial expressions, such as frowns, scowls, and grimaces, effectively push others away, smiling is viewed as more attractive — and people may even believe you have more favorable personality qualities if you’re smiling. [4]
Smiling not only makes you more beautiful, but it also makes you look younger. The muscles we use to grin elevate the face, making us look younger. Instead of getting a facelift, consider simply smiling your way through the day — you’ll look younger and feel better.
So, the next time you need a pick-me-up, consider flashing a toothy grin; it could just give you the boost you need. And if you’re in a good mood, why not show off your pearly whites to a stranger and spread the love?
Thank you for reading! xoxo
