Why Smiling is Important

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Have you ever considered why it’s so much fun to be around kids? A lot of it has to do with the fact that they smile on average 400 times a day. While most adults might only smile 20 times in a day. But there is mounting evidence that we all need to embrace the youthful love of smiling.  It turns out that smiling can have a huge impact on your mind, body, and soul.

 

Smiling Reduces Stress

Recent studies have found that the simple act of a smile reduces stress.  Your mind and body can feel in a way that is almost as good as getting a good night’s sleep. When you smile your body releases all those things that make you feel good; dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin. They also act as a natural pain reliever. You will feel less stressed and so will the people around you, because smiling is contagious.

 

A Smile Boosts Immune System

For the same reasons that smiling reduces your stress, it also boosts your immune system. When you smile, laugh, and have positive thoughts your mind is better able to fight off illnesses. So, the next time you’re filling sick pop a movie on that is sure to make you laugh. You’ll be doing yourself a favor.

 

A Smile Makes You Look Younger

The muscles that we use to smile are the same muscles that lift the face and give you a more youthful look. A small study performed showed that people who were smiling in photographs appeared to be younger than they actually are while those who seemed unhappy appeared older than they actually are. Not only does a smile make you look younger, but it also makes you look thinner and more attractive.

 

Smiling Lowers Blood Pressure

Smiling can have a noticeable impact on your blood pressure and this is actually something you can test at home if you have a blood pressure monitor. This even works when the smile is forced because your brain and body treats a smile like a smile no matter if it is something you force or it is something that came naturally.

 

Smiling Boosts Mood

A smile, even a fake smile will boost your mood and help you feel more positive. Smiling actually makes it harder for you to have negative thoughts which can force you to change mental tracks when you’re feeling down. In a way, a smile can act as a bit of an anti-depressant which is great news when you’re feeling down.

 

Smiling Makes You Seem Successful

Smiling has this amazing way of making you appear more confident and successful to other people. It has also been shown that people who smile more in the office are more likely to be promoted and are more likely to be approached for new opportunities. So make a habit of smiling more while you’re at work, it might just be what you need to get that next promotion.

 

Smiling is Contagious

Your smile doesn’t just have an impact on you, it also impacts every person you come into contact with. The barista will get a mood boost when she sees you come up to the counter with a smile on your face. People you don’t even know will find themselves grinning after passing you smiling on the sidewalk. Your smile is contagious and when you pass it on to other people they will start feeling all those wonderful benefits I mentioned above. So put on a happy face!

 

Do you love to smile?  I do. I have to admit I have not been practicing it a lot lately, but I am changing that.  I am going to put my own tips in play and SMILE more!  I hope you find yourself smiling more as well.

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LaToyia, The Motivated Mom

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