“You’ll find that life is still worthwhile, if you just smile” said Charlie Chaplin and how right he was. Your smile can attract more than admiring looks. A smiling face tells people that you are approachable… an outgoing and intelligent person worth getting to know. We are drawn to smiling people. It changes our mood, is contagious, relieves stress and keeps you optimistic. We often think of smiling as a reaction to something amusing or someone endearing. However research has shown that simply putting a smile on your face can induce positive and happy feelings. With a HUGE smile on my face I am going to list a few of the benefits of a smile:
- Smiling makes you feel better physically and emotionally. Smiling greatly improves our ability to manage stress because it slows down our heart rate and lowers the level of perceived threat associated
with any issues that might arise. Take a few deep breaths and go share your smile. In just a few minutes your attitude will have improved. Our facial expressions have a direct influence on our emotions. Smiling can trick the body into helping you change your mood and ultimately feel better. - Smiling may help you to be healthier and live a longer life. It has been said that people who display a smile on their face in a picture live seven years longer than people who frown. A smile can lower your blood pressure and reduce inflammation, two of the major contributors to heart disease. Smiling is one of the three components to living a longer and happier life. The other 2 are exercising 30 minutes 3 times a week and sleeping 7‐8 hours/night.
- Smiling makes you and others around you feel better. Your smile makes a meaningful difference in someone else’s eyes and will lead you to a higher level of happiness. When someone is smiling they change the mood of others and make everything happier. A group of smiling people creates a more positive environment and everyone is more willing to engage with one another.
- Smiling determines how others see you. How can you possibly have a negative thought with a smile on your face? Smiling does make you more attractive and makes you look approachable and fun. Stress can be very visible on our faces. The muscles we use to smile lift the face, make you appear younger. Why use Botox when all you have to do is smile? People who make it a practice to smile at least 4‐5 times a day have been found to be more joyful, optimistic and emotionally stable.
The benefits of smiling are enormous. Your good health, your relationships and your positive attitude as you confront challenges are just a few examples of the benefits of smiling. Just remember these characteristics every time you smile: you are approachable, fun, attractive, youthful looking and happy. It only takes a split second to smile, yet to someone that needs it, it can make a difference.
Remember what Orphan Annie said: “You’re never fully dressed without a smile.” So what are you waiting for? Just smile!
