It is not a secrete that smiling has a number of positive effects on both the mind and the body. Smiling can make people feel happy because it stimulates the reward mechanism of the brain more than the chocolate. Generally, kids are happier and more energetic simply because they laugh more during a 24-hour period than the adults. Recent research has found that children laugh 400 times per day on average, while adults who are considered happy would smile only 40 to 50 times per day. Normally adults manage to smile or laugh only about 20 times per day.
Other scientific experiments have proven that people can derive the same amount of happiness from smiling as from physical exercises. Those who smile or laugh mostly will appear to be happier, more energetic, and healthier. On the other end of the spectrum, a grumpy person may have an identity crisis resulting from a deep feeling of being unloved, victimized, or marginalized.
Smiling is directly related to a peaceful relationship with others. A genuine smile can help you to turn an enemy into a friend and often helps avoid occasions that might turn out to be immensely harmful. Mother Theresa establishes a connection between smiling and peace: “Peace begins with a smile.” Smiling is conducive to relationship-building as it helps people appear to be open and interested in connecting with others.
Smiling can bring in a number of health benefits as well as social and psychological advantages.
Smiling helps reduce stress. Stress and anxiety can be an ongoing challenge; but smiling more often helps the mind and body naturally release stress. Smiling helps reduce stress-induced hormones in the bloodstream, which helps avoid adrenal fatigue.
Smiling enhances positive emotions. Everyone has both positive and negative emotions swimming around in their mind. When you choose to smile and laugh often, you tap into your positive emotions.
Smiling often helps you to appear to be more approachable and desirable. When you appear smiling in both personal and professional situations others will feel naturally drawn to you.
Smiling can be genuine or fake. A smile that lacks in genuine feelings of warmth and friendliness is fake. Those on the receiving end of a fake smile will often feel unsettled and disturbed. People with a fake smile may be doing it because they feel disinterested, tired, or preoccupied. Genuine smile could be the result of a conscious choice. In the face of challenges, you might need to make a concerted choice to remain positive and smile.
With some practice one can learn genuine smile. Even if you’ve lost the habit of smiling, you can learn how to smile again like the children do. Start visualizing yourself as a smiling, happy person to achieve the gift of smiling. Keep in mind that smiling is an outward representation of an attitude of wellness, love, and acceptance. Try to think of your genuine smiles as your way of bestowing peace and confidence to others.
If you have trouble feeling like smiling, think of a person or an event that made you feel happy or joyful. Recalling this person or event immediately before you’re in a social situation might help you relax and feel happy enough to smile genuinely. Imagining a rainbow might also help you relax and feel happy. Practice your smiling skills in front of a mirror. Once you practice your smiling skills, you should find that you’re healthier, happier, and more relaxed. While smiling your muscles connect directly to your nervous system and brain, and thus smiling can improve your mood.