Smile – It Makes You Happy

Nobody can resist a smile; smiles are contagious, they make us feel better.  Did you know that smiling can even be good for your health?

“Smiling stimulates our brain’s reward mechanisms in a way that even chocolate, a well-regarded pleasure-inducer, cannot match.”

There are both emotional and physical health benefits. Smiling is like a natural drug, it boosts the immune system, lowers blood pressure, relieves stress, changes our moods, and even prolongs life. 

“We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do.”
~ Mother Teresa

Even if you have to fake a smile at first, practicing smiling will benefit you and give a positive signal to the brain which will give you a feeling of joy.  Continuous practice of smiling can even prolong your life.

Garrison 3 months

I just received a picture of my grandson who is now smiling so sweetly at 3 months.  Babies are actually born smiling and they will responds to you with a big grin often.  It is actually easier to smile (using less facial muscles) than to frown. 

"The powerful emotions triggered when someone important in our lives smiles at us and we smile back changes our brain chemistry.”

~ Dr. David Lewis – The Language of Success
 

Mona Lisa

Apparently, Charles Darwin had a lesser-known theory, that smiling can make us feel better.  When you feel happy you smile more, but it also works the other way around: smiling can cause us to be happy.

Have you ever wondered why the painting of the “Mona Lisa” by Leonardo da Vinci is so famous?  Everybody is mystified by her sweet smile.

We all know that it is easier to be around people who smile and are friendly.  Some people can light up a whole room with their positive attitude and sociable smiles.  Here are some more fascinating facts about smiling and its health benefits.

With a little bit more awareness we all can smile more and not only please others but to bring happiness to ourselves.