Most of our best days are usually the ones we spend smiling. Without laughter there would be just negativity, anger and silence. And that is why we need to find more reasons to smile.
Science of a smile
On a days where we are smiling a lot, our mood gets elevated, every task seems to be easier and world just seems to be a better place. So, why is that? The answer is very simple – dopamine!
Dopamine is a type of neurotransmitter. Your body makes it, and your nervous system uses it to send messages between nerve cells. That is why it is sometimes called a chemical messenger. Dopamine plays a role in how we feel pleasure. It also helps us strive, focus, and find things interesting.
Smiling activates tiny molecules in our brain that are designed to fend off everyday stress. Also, when we smile, our brain releases dopamine, endorphins and serotonin. These neurotransmitters are associated with lowering our anxiety and increasing feelings of happiness. This natural, feel-good chemical combination that our brain serves up helps you feel more happier and relaxed.
Smiling is attractive
According to different human studies, smiling makes people look healthier and more attractive than being the right weight or even wearing make-up. Researchers found people whose resting faces seemed cheerful were judged as being in better health than those who appeared miserable.
People are naturally drawn to those who smile more. While negative facial expressions like frowns, works opposite. Smiling is seen as more attractive and people may even assume you have more positive personality traits if you are smiling. That is why, to people working in customer service is advised to smile. So they would look polite, truthful and inviting.
Laughter is contagious
We have an understanding that usually smiles are started by another smile. A smile is also something that is easy to pass on, much like yawning. Current research shows us that a laughter is contagious. It lifts not only our mood, but everyone else’s too. Our smile can be started by us, but there are times when we are smiling because of others in the room.
Your brain automatically notices and interprets other people’s facial expressions and sometimes, you may even mimic them. That means you might spot someone else’s smile and unconsciously smile yourself.
Forced smiling
There our several situations in our lives where something bad has happened and someone tells you to cheer up or smile. It’s probably not the most hoped advice. But in that given moment, we have to remember that it might be the best advice.
Science has shown that even forced smiling can lift your mood and even lower stress. Act of smiling can trick your brain into believing you’re happy which can then spur actual feelings of happiness. When we smile, the brain notices the muscle activity and assumes something happy and good is happening.
There is no way we could outrun our stress for forever, but we can try to avoid it. Smiling helps to prevent us from looking tired, and overwhelmed. But it also can help decrease stress. When you are stressed, try to put a little smile on your face. It may help improve ability to manage the stress.
Smiling is healthy
Who would have thought that smiling is healthy, that seems a little impossible. But according to some studies smiling can lower blood pressure and heart rate. This is important because high blood pressure is a leading cause of heart diseases.
As previously mentioned studies have also shown that smiling can reduce stress. Stress is a common inhibitor of the immune system, so a lower blood pressure means fewer illnesses.
We are hoping that you found or article interesting and if you are looking for some more health tips, we recommend you our article What is silence retreat.
