We’re living in very stressful and uncertain times right now and perhaps the last thing you feel like doing is smiling.
However, when we smile there are a host of beneficial side effects that happen.
When we embrace a smile and even when we are not fully feeling it, we are producing the chemicals that make us feel happy and less stressed. The simple act of smiling releases stress-reducing, happiness-inducing hormones into our body and that’s not all!
Here are 9 reasons you should smile everyday:
1 It relieves stress
Psychology scientists at the University of Kansas conducted research where they increased stress levels of subjects and asked some to smile and some not to. They performed tasks such as putting their hands in buckets of ice water and the results found those who smiled, even forced smiles had lower recovery heart rates showing they felt less stress.
So, the next time you find yourself in a stressful situation just smile your biggest smile and take a deep breath and feel your stress levels deplete.
2 It’s contagious
We’ve all been there, you’re walking down the street, maybe you’re not having the best day and a stranger gifts you the biggest smile as they pass you. You instantly feel better and before you know it, you’re smiling yourself.
Much like a yawn, a smile can be contagious and you’re not only passing on the physical act of smiling but also the happy feeling that comes with it.
3 It makes you feel good (even when you don’t)
Teams of researchers from Tennessee, Knoxville and Texas combined data from 138 studies involving more than 11,000 participants over the course of nearly 50 years.
According to Science Daily “…the results of the meta-analysis [showed that] facial expressions have an impact on feelings. For example, smiling makes people feel happier, scowling makes them feel angrier, and frowning makes them feel sadder.”
In fact, unbelievably it has also been found that even a fake smile can have a positive impact on mood. As the brain doesn’t differentiate between real or fake smiling, it interprets the position of your facial muscles in the same way and so tricks/ your brain into thinking you’re happy!
4 It connects the human race
A smile is a language that everyone understands. It can connect us to someone without ever having to say a word. It doesn’t matter what country you’re from, what social status you hold or what age you are, a smile is universal and connects us all.
5 It’s free
Smiling costs us absolutely nothing, it’s completely free…gratis. In a world where therapy can cost an arm and a leg and healthcare is not free for everyone, smiling is one of the things you can do every day, it’s available to everyone and it will only do you good.
6 It can change your whole day
Making the decision to embrace happiness and to smile can change the course of your whole day.
People will generally be more responsive to you when you smile and you might feel more able to deal with life’s stresses in a calmer and more efficient manner, making your day run that little bit smoother.
7 It can change someone else’s day
In a study led by the University of Wisconsin, scientists investigated the effects of different smiles on the person you are talking to. Findings showed that when you are in receipt of a friendly smile the effects of stress are buffered and cortisone levels are regulated more effectively in your body – so both people feel good and it’s a win-win!
Jared Martin who helped lead the experiment said, “Our results show that subtle differences in the way you make facial expressions while someone is talking to you can fundamentally change their experience, their body, and the way they feel like you’re evaluating them.”
8 It’s like a natural facelift
We’ve all heard the expression it takes more muscles to frown than to smile but we don’t really know the exact number of muscles it takes to smile or frown, and everyone does it a little differently.
What we do know though is that when we smile, we engage the muscles in our face, tightening the cheek muscles. It gives the effect of lifting our neck and jaw area and reduces that ‘sagging’ look. It’s like a natural, free facelift – what’s not to love?
9 Because you can!
What is life without laughter and smiles? Most positive people have found that having that positive outlook and smiling through the hard times has been the little bit of light that gets them through the darker days. And let’s face it, we all need a little help sometimes.
So there you have it, smiling can definitely make you feel better but if you suffer from any medical conditions such as depression, please consult your GP.
Happiness practices are a great accompaniment to modern medicine and should not be used as a replacement for doctors’ advice.
If you would like to find out more about reducing your stress levels and injecting more happiness into your life, check out my StressLess to Happiness weekly webinars – guaranteed to make you smile! Also, have a listen to the Feel Good with Fempower playlist – it’s sure to put a smile on your face!
