Smile For the Health of It

“Life is like a mirror, smile at it and it smiles back at you” – Peace Pilgrim (Mildred Lisette Norman)

Happy National Smile Day!

Smiles are powerful! They create a connection between two people. They bring joy and reduce stress.

Smiling has a direct link to the brain so the more a person smiles, the healthier their brain can be.

Smiles do so much.

Smiles are infectious. A smile can brighten someone’s day – both the smiler and the observer of the smile!

A healthy smile can develop confidence and generate a new outlook on the world.

Have you heard that it takes more muscles to frown than to smile? Well although there’s no hard evidence to support that, smiling does have some real-life benefits. If you can crack a smile, you’ll actually feel better. 

Smiling more often, regardless of your mood, can improve your health and even help you live longer.

Here are a more benefits of smiling from Bright Spring Health and SCL Health:

1. Release Endorphins. When you smile, your brain releases neuropeptides to reduce stress. Then other neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins (sometimes called the body’s natural feel-good chemical) come into play too. The endorphins act as a mild pain reliever, whereas serotonin is an antidepressant.
2. Reduce Stress: One study suggests that smiling can help you recover faster from stress and reduce heart rate.
3. Improved Mood: A Scientific American study found that facial expressions, such as smiling, can improve one’s mood and increase positive thoughts. So smiling can make you feel better!
4. Lower Blood Pressure: An article from The College of Family Physicians says that the act of laughter can lead to an immediate increase in heart rate and oxygen consumption, followed by a period of muscle relaxation, decreased heart rate and lower blood pressure.
5. Stronger Immune System: Laughing or smiling helps boost the body’s immune system according to a WebMD study. Laughter and smiling increase immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, which improves resistance to illnesses.
6. Better Relationships: A U.S. National Library of Medicine study found that people who smile are usually identified as being more likable, compared to those who don’t smile. “Likable” people have a better chance at building and maintaining relationships with people – which benefits overall well-being.
7. Younger Appearance: Smiling or laughing can give the illusion that a person looks younger than they actually are. A Psychology and Aging study showed that when a group looked at photos of happy faces, they guessed the age of the person in the photo as younger compared to photos of the same person with a neutral or angry expression.
8. Creating a Ripple Effect: Smiles affect those around you too. Seeing others smile actives the “reward center” of the brain and makes you feel better. So smiles really are infectious!
9. Increased Productivity: A study from a team of economists found that “human happiness has large and positive causal effects on productivity. Positive emotions appear to invigorate human beings, while negative emotions have the opposite effect.”

Smiling and laughing are very beneficial for your mind, body and overall well-being! Breaking into a smile or laughter is healthy for you!

In fact, even forcing a smile can still bring you a boost in your mood and happiness level.

So, get out there and smile for the health of it!

(Credits: 7 Health Benefits of Smiling: https://www.brightspringhealth.com/blog/7-health-benefits-of-smiling/, The Health Benefits of Smiling: https://www.sclhealth.org/blog/2019/06/the-real-health-benefits-of-smiling-and-laughing/, National Day Calendar: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-smile-day-may-31/)

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