7 Good Reasons
To Smile!

Mirjam Stoffels

I n ‘The Seven Habits Of Happy Women’ we read about habit #3:
Smile… a lot!
Now let’s get more into that one!

When you smile the world smiles back at ya’! Smiling happens without much thought. It is a very natural response that shares our happiness with others.

Did you know that smiling also triggers activity in your brain? There is a serious mind-body connection there, in your ventromedial prefrontal cortex to be exact, which is [not surprisingly] the area of your brain that registers happiness.

 

How often do you smile in a day? Do you smile when you meet new people? When you see your kids or friends? Around your co-workers? How about your significant other? Your face has 60 muscles in it that allow you make more than 5,000 different types of expressions, many of which are smiles.

SEVEN reasons why smiling is good for you, your health and your social life!

 
#1
Smiling makes you happy
…even when you’re not. Remember that ventromedial prefrontal cortex we were just talking about? Well, it turns out that the simple act of smiling [just using 20 facial muscels] sends a message to your brain that you’re happy. And when you’re happy, your body pumps out all kinds of feel-good endorphins. Science showed that when people mimic different emotional expressions, their bodies produce physiological changes that reflect the emotion, such as changes in heart and breathing rate.

 
#2
Smiling makes others happy
‘When you’re smilin’ [the whole world smiles with you]’ Ever heard that song by Louis Armstrong? Well, it’s true. Research shows that smiling is contagious. Ever been around someone who just had something fantastic happen to him or her? Isn’t it almost impossible not to feel good, too? Studies show that something as simple as seeing a child or a friend smile can activate the muscles in your face to make that same expression, without you even being aware of it.

 
#3
Smiling makes you more attractive [click to tweet]
Ever wonder why we are always asked to smile in photos? Because people usually look their best and happiest when smiling. So smile at people! It will make them feel happier [#2], and you’re already more attractive in their eyes! Smiling people also appear more confident, are more likely to be promoted, and more likely to be approached. Put on a smile at conversations, meetings and appointments and people will react to you differently.

 
#4
Smiling helps to de-stress
The next time you’re stressed about work or realize that your favorite jeans feel a little tight, don’t freak out. Take a few deep breaths and smile! Smiling may help to reduce symptoms associated with anxiety. When that smile signals to your brain that you’re feeling happy [even though you're not really feeling happy...yet], your body will usually slow its breathing and heart rate. It can lower blood pressure, improve digestion and regulate blood sugar too. Smiling is healthy!

 
#5
Smiling can lead to laughter
Ever laughed without smiling? Pretty impossible… And it’s funny how a smile here and a giggle there with friends can turn into a whole fit of hysterical laughter. Numerous studies have been done on the health benefits of laughing, including how it acts like a mini workout that burns calories and works the abs. As we already saw, laughter also helps blood flow, lowers blood sugar levels, reduces stress and improves sleep. It also raises the level of infection-fighting antibodies in the body, which helps boost your immune system. So the moral of this story is smile and laugh. Often!

 
#6
Smiling just feels good
Have you ever found that smiling just feels good? Go ahead, smile now! Doesn’t it feel natural? Make you feel happy to be alive? It sure beats the heck out of a frown. Try this test: Smile. Now try to think of something negative without losing the smile. It’s hard. When you smile your body is sending the rest of us a message that ‘Life is good!’ Stay away from depression, stress and worry by smiling.

 
#7
Smiling makes you look younger
The muscles you use to smile lift the face, making you appear younger. Don’t go for a face lift, just try smiling your way through the day, you’ll feel younger and better, and look younger and better!

 
So the next time you’re feeling down or out, try a smile. By reading the word ‘smile’ you even feel better. Just like seeing someone else’s smile makes you smile, reading emotion verbs [like smile, grin, frown] can also activate specific facial muscles. So come back to this post often… Now say ‘cheeeeese!’

 
Sharing is caring!
Listening to your favorite music loud enough to possibly damage your hearing. Watching children laugh and play. Life. What makes you happy?
And when was the last time you laughed ’till your belly ached?
Please share what make you happy in the comment box below!
Thank you!

Mirjam Stoffels

Founder of seven2success, guest blogger at TEDx, Project Eve and 365 dagen succesvol. In my mission to make seven2success the biggest platform of knowledge and inspiration for women, by women, I want to inspire you with our content! Check us out on Facebook and Twitter! I’d love to connect!
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