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“Share your smile with the world. It’s a symbol of friendship and peace.”– Christie Brinkley
“Your smile will give you a positive countenance that will make people feel comfortable around you.” — Les Brown
Many people think that smiling is just an automatic reaction to situations that make us happy or laugh. While this observation is true, few people make the conscious and voluntary choice to smile.
Countless scientific studies have confirmed that a genuine smile is perceived as attractive by others. Other studies have also shown that the simple act of smiling can improve your mood, and the mood of those around you.
In addition, correlations between health, longevity and laughter have been made. In fact, the simple act of smiling — that is, raising the corners of your mouth — whether genuine (Duchenne smile) or deliberate, both have beneficial effects for you, in the short and long term.
Still not convinced? Here are 6 great reasons Why you should smile every day:
According to research, we are naturally attracted to people who smile. You seem more open, and it makes you more approachable to others.
This can help you at work, with friends or strangers, as they will feel more comfortable talking to you and won’t be afraid to approach you. Also, talking and interacting with someone who is smiling is more pleasant than with someone who is pouting.
One study also shows that you appear more friendly, relaxed and empathetic when you smile. By the way, as incredible as it may seem, your ability to smile can also determine your chances of getting divorced in your lifetime.
Stress is not just mental, it also encompasses our entire body and can show on our faces. By laughing or exercising, you release endorphins that lower your level of cortisol (stress hormone) in your body, making you more resistant to pain.
So as one study shows, when you smile your blood pressure and heart rate go down. And this, even if you pretend to smile! Smiling is a good way to relax, and to help those around you do the same. Think about that the next time you’re stressed.
Plus, when you smile you also improve your immune system, by increasing your lymphocyte (immune cell) count. Who says laughter isn’t healing?
Do this test: smile, right now. Then try to think of something negative without losing that smile. It’s hard, isn’t it? We simply can’t do both at the same time.
That’s why, the next time you’re feeling a little down, smile. There’s a good chance your mood will improve quickly. The simple act of smiling produces neurotransmitters in your brain, like dopamine and serotonin.
These two molecules are well known to naturally boost your mood, as they make you feel more motivated and relaxed. Smiling therefore acts as an anti-depressant.
Smiling also makes you feel more comfortable in unfamiliar environments according to one study. It makes it easier to get out of your comfort zone.
The more you smile, the longer you are likely to live, Wayne State University found. Baseball players in 1952 who smiled in their photos taken to produce baseball cards lived longer, about 5 to 7 years longer than those who smiled partially or not at all.
By the way, smiling makes you look younger. The muscles we use to laugh also tone the face, which gives that youthful appearance. So instead of ordering a face lift, smiling will make you look younger and more relaxed.
According to recent research, on average, women who smile often appear to be three years younger than their actual age.
Have you ever noticed how when someone smiles at you, you feel the need to automatically smile back? Whether it’s a friend, a co-worker or even a stranger.
We all have what are called mirror neurons in our brain. These neurons function to imitate a behavior or an action, which is what happens for example when we see someone yawn and we yawn ourselves. Empathy also works on the same principle.
Smiling is also a universal language. We all respond to a smile, simply by smiling ourselves. Inside, we also mimic the emotions of joy and happiness that come with smiling.
Therefore, as soon as someone smiles at you (for example your co-worker), you automatically feel happier. So smiling can really be contagious!
Notice how waiters, salesmen and politicians behave. Imagine how you would react if they looked constantly depressed? People who smile a lot are more likely to earn our support (or better tips), than those who would provide the same service with a stolid look.
People who smile regularly give the impression of being more charismatic. They give us that aura of confidence that makes us feel comfortable. Thus, these people are more likely to be promoted at work. So try to smile more at your job interviews or business meetings, you will see the difference!
At work, your productivity depends a lot on your state of mind. If you are not happy, then you will be less motivated to work. So don’t forget to smile before starting your tasks.
Be grateful for everything in your life
It’s amazing to feel so many positive effects when we start saying “Thank you!” to everything. Thank you for this gift of life. Thank you for that delicious meal. Thank you for the smile of that man or woman on the street.
But the “weirdest” (and most powerful) change I invite you to make is this: Say thank you to all the negative situations that have happened in your life.
Why? Because they show us how precious life is. They show you that you had the skills and resources you needed to get back up. Maybe you weren’t even afraid to ask for help when you were at your lowest point.
And when we are at the bottom, the only direction we can go is up.
So don’t reject those experiences that strengthen you, and that help you discover your hidden potential to handle all of life’s trials. They allow you to expand your consciousness and see beyond the events themselves.
Pay attention to the smallest details
Now I look at my red tea cup with a little smile. It is perfect.
This cup is not just red. If you look closely you can see endless shades of red on the glaze. It reminds me of the stripes on candy canes, and it slightly reflects my little notebook in front of me.
It all follows the laws of light and shadow, by the way, my cup has one side vermilion — fire engine color — exposed to the sunlight and the other is dark, a kind of dull brown.
It’s really a wonderful thing. These little details are available to everyone, everywhere, and they show us that no two things on Earth are alike. Just as two people watching the sunset together can have two different experiences.
Even the things that we dislike are opportunities to be grateful, once we appreciate the details. Plastic bottles in the street or rotting fruit, for example.
They all contain wonderful details, and when you stop and pay attention to them, you can’t help but smile in appreciation for that particular experience you had.
Write down your blessings
Thousands of great things happen to us every day, but we only remember some of them. While on the contrary, we remember the majority of the boring, unhappy or painful things that happen in our lives.
But we can overcome this tendency.
That’s why it’s helpful to keep a notebook to record all those wonderful things that happen to us every day.
Think about it when you are feeling a little down. You’ll notice that even on your worst days, beautiful things happened, for you and only you.
Don’t forget them!
Look at what is, not what is not
Every time I step back, I think “Wow, I really do have a great life.”
And I don’t have a huge amount. But now I’m living the happiest life imaginable because I’m looking at what I have and not what I don’t have.
Often we worry about the future, feeding our thoughts with negative scenarios.
We think:
- “If only I had a little more money to pay my rent, my bills…”
- “Ah if I didn’t have to worry about these pains anymore.”
- “If only I could spend more time with my family.”
Your life is not limited to your desires and fantasies that you would like to manifest in your life, that is mostly what is happening right now! All the things you are experiencing right now.
The smiles on your children’s faces, your friends’ faces, the faces of those who matter to you. All of that is there just for you. And that’s what makes me smile.
So what makes you smile today :)?
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