Laughing and smiling can not only express our joy and let others know how we are feeling, but it has some surprising health benefits. Smiling usually happens when we are in a happy mood, but doing it strategically can actually make your mood better and improve your health.
Having a smile you are confident in can help you want to smile more, but here are some reasons you should smile, regardless of what your smile looks like.
Reduce Stress
Life can be stressful and exhausting, but smiling can help you to look and feel less tired and overwhelmed. Smiling can help reduce stress even if you are faking it. Taking the time to put on a smile can help to trick your brain thinking you are happier or less tired than you are.
It can also help others feel less stressed around you, because it is definitely contagious. If you or your friends are feeling stressed, try watching a comedy, telling jokes or other things that can increase the smiles in the room.
Smiling Increases Endurance
Our bodies release cortisol and endorphins when we smile. These chemicals can help increase your endurance. It may not help you to run faster or jump higher, but similar to adrenaline, these chemicals can help your brain to push through strain or pain. Smiling also helps the neurons in your brain to fire a synchronizing feature and keep you continuing to smile.
Strengthen Immune System
Similar to endurance, chemicals in your brain help to boost your immune system. It is said that smiling helps you to feel more relaxed and helps your neurotransmitters to work overtime. Working to smile more before cold and flu season might just help.
Helps You To Live Longer
This reason may be the greatest of all. Studies have found that smiling and laughing can increase your lifespan. Happy people seem to enjoy better health and longevity, though more research is needed to full understand why that is. Living a healthy lifestyle often helps us to feel better about ourselves, thus resulting in good mood and happiness.
More Attractive And Approachable
We are more attracted to people who smile and people are more likely to feel like they can trust you. Smiling helps people to feel like you are approachable and safe. The muscles used to smile also lift the face and make a person look younger. So don’t go for the facelift, smile your way through your day and you will look and feel younger.
Suggests Success
Research has shown that smiling helps people get promoted. Those who appear more confident and smile are approachable and can help people like you, as suggested above. In your next business meeting try smiling more, you may be surprised with how people treat you.
Sunset Dental Smiles
Here at Sunset Dental we want your smile to be what you are most confident about. We provide exceptional dentistry services to our patients and we help you make smart oral decisions. Our goal is to help our patients achieve beautiful and healthy smiles. We have many dental services to fit all of your oral health needs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment in our Sunset, UT office.
