Science has shown that the mere act of smiling can lift your mood, lower stress, boost your immune system, reduce pain, look more attractive and stay positive, possibly even prolonging your life.
Try this test:
Smile. Now try to think of something negative without losing the smile. It’s hard, isn’t it?
Smiling can influence your feelings of positivity, even if it feels unnatural or forced. Regardless of whether or not your smile is genuine, it still sends the message that “Life is good!” to your brain and, ultimately, the rest of your body.
The physical act of smiling actually activates pathways in your brain that influence your emotional state—meaning that by adopting a happy facial expression, you can “trick” your mind into entering a state of happiness. This holds true whether or not your smile is real.
Even a simple smile can trigger the release of neuropeptides that improve your neural communication, as well as neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, which can boost your mood. Think of smiling like a natural antidepressant.
We all know that stress can permeate our entire being, and it can really show up in our faces and makes us look less attractive. Smiling not only helps to prevent us from looking tired, worn down, and overwhelmed but it can actually help decrease stress and boost our overall health by helping our immune system to function more effectively. It is believed that when you smile, immune function improves because you are more relaxed (those neurotransmitters again!).
Smiling Reduces Pain
Studies also show that smiling releases endorphins, other natural painkillers, and serotonin. Together, these brain chemicals make us feel good from head to toe, not only do they elevate our mood, but they also relax our body and reduce physical pain. Smiling is a natural drug.
Whether you’re trying to maintain your overall health or strengthen your immune system ahead of cold and flu season, smiling may help so, smile every day, as often as you can.
Friday, 1 October is World Smile Day 2021 so just to get you ready, here is a catchy Smile video.