Smiling is something that people do without even thinking about it.
Most of us have perfected the art of the smile so well that it doesn’t even register with our brains.
Our brains simply send a signal to our facial muscles telling them to smile and we do so without giving it much thought.
There’s a lot that you might not know about this reflexive muscle action. We’ve compiled a list of 7 delightful facts about smiling that you won’t believe! Read on to learn a little more about that grin above your chin!
1) You can trick yourself into a happier mood by smiling.
Smiling releases neurotransmitters in the brain that are responsible for boosting our mood, whether we’re genuinely feeling happy or not.
“In a study done by Harvard University, people who faked their smiles experienced an immediate mood boost. So the next time you’re feeling down, try smiling and watch your day improve!”
Smiling has also been shown to help reduce stress and lower blood pressure. The simple act of smiling releases endorphins in the brain that cause relaxation and a drop in stress levels.
At the same time, smiling has been shown to activate circulation and increase energy flow-all of these benefits combined will lower your blood pressure.
2) Smiling is contagious!
Have you ever been in a room and watched someone yawn and then before you know it, you feel a yawn break out over your own face?
Well, it’s the same with smiling. If someone near you smiles, and you smile in return, it will activate your mirror neurons and cause a chain reaction in which everyone around you begins to smile too.
This experiment has been carried out many times and the results are always the same.
3) You may just live longer if you smile more.
Studies have been conducted that have found that smiling can have a massive effect on our lives, with results showing that people who smile regularly are likely to live longer than those who don’t.
People in the test group were asked how often they smiled, and were monitored for several years-the results showed that participants who smiled regularly lived almost seven years longer than those who didn’t.
4) Smiling can reduce the risk of depression.
Studies have also shown that people who smile are less likely to suffer from depression.
Whether it’s an act of faking a smile or genuinely smiling, there is no difference in the results.
People who do not use their facial muscles enough are more likely to suffer from mental illness, so next time you go for a walk or spend some time outside, remember to smile, it could just help you stay healthy.
5) Smiling makes people think of you as more attractive.
This might be surprising, but anyone who smiles at us is likely to make us feel happier, and happiness itself has been shown to heighten attractiveness in humans.
That’s right–smiling will make you more attractive to that special someone you’ve had your eye on!
In fact, smiling can make people like you better in general. A natural smile makes us look friendlier and approachable, so if someone smiles at you they are likely to be thinking good thoughts about you.
6) Smiling can make you seem more powerful.
People who smile regularly are also perceived to be in a better social position, and seen as being more persuasive, strong, and having a higher social standing.
This is probably because smiling makes us look friendlier and approachable to others, which makes them think of us more positively overall.
Next time you go to a networking event, remember to smile and watch as people begin to flock towards you!
7) You’re more likely to succeed at work when you smile.
Smiling is also likely to help you in the workplace, since smiling tends to make people see us in a more positive light.
So if someone looks angry or upset whilst walking around the office, try smiling at them and watch as they change their expression instantly!
Conclusion
In conclusion, whatever the reason for your smile is, whether it be happiness or stress relief, don’t underestimate its power to improve both your mood and health!
So next time you’re feeling down, remember to smile and watch as your mood begins to improve.
Take care of those pearly whites to enhance your smile and get ready to share it with the world! It will make, not only you, but everyone you encounter throughout the day feels so much better.
