How Smiling can change your life and help you live longer

How Smiling can change your life and help you live longer

We all think of smiling like a good thing and something we should do more and we realize the benefits it can have on our popularity and on the moods of the people around us. However, what we maybe don’t realize as much is what it can do for the other areas of our lives.

It simply can make everything a lot better and even advance our careers. Here I will go into a little more detail and look at just how impressive the power of a smile is without wanting to sound to cheese.

What makes a real smile?

When smiling authentically, the importance of the eyes and forehead are very critical. The authentic and genuine smile involves not just the muscles around the mouth, but also the ones that cause the cheeks to raise and the eyes to crescent.

Saying just “cheese…” (Likely while taking a photograph) does not experience the same rewards as those who are smiling with their entire face; yes, no doubt they do experience some of the benefits, just to a lesser degree.

Hence, it may be worth learning and experiencing how to smile with more of your face in the long run for a better life.

Benefits of smiling

Smiling induces neurotransmitters of the brain like dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin. Whenever you smile these neurotransmitters are released in the body which relaxes the body and offers many health benefits.

Let us list down the multiple benefits of Smiling:

Health benefits

Generally, it helps you to become more resilient against illnesses and other problems. Of course, it can also help with motivation and psychological well-being no end.

What a Smile Does for Our Mood?

First of all, thanks to something called “facial feedback’, simply smiling can be one of the very best ways to improve your mood.

Simply by smiling it is possible you see to actually improve your mood as it causes your body to release more positive hormones – in fact, any expression that you pull has been shown to have this facial feedback effect.

Next time you are feeling lethargic and tired then, simply try smiling and you’ll find it improves your mood to no end.

At the same time, because you are producing positive hormones and endorphins, rather than damaging ones like cortisones, this can then have a strengthening effect on your immune system.

It lowers the stress hormones.

Yes, smiling lowers the stress hormones like cortisol, adrenaline, and norepinephrine. It helps you relax and boost mental health.

Smiling is very good for Heart health

Smiling also helps you relax, and maintains your blood pressure. The release of endorphins through smiling increases blood flow. Smiling has been associated with an increased HDL (the good cholesterol) levels in the body.

Gives a boost to your immune system

Smiling and laughing initiates the release of serotonin in the body which increases the sense of happiness and well-being in the body.

Serotonin also helps boost the immune system as it stimulates monocytes and lymphocytes (which are types of white blood cells that fight against infections in the body) and also regulates the release of cytokines (chemical messengers of the immune system).

Relationships

Smiling tends to improve your relationships. Smiles are so attractive for more reasons than one. A smile suggests that you’re likeable, easy going, and empathetic. In fact, smiling actually makes you more attractive to those you smile at.

This in turn then means that you can essentially create an association where they see you and then think of feeling happy and good about themselves.

Studies show that different areas of the brain light up when looking at pictures of people who are smiling versus who are not smiling.

You tend to be more trustworthy

If you want to improve your credibility, simply smile more. Trusting doesn’t come easily to many, but smiling at someone may definitely help. A smile can mean more than a pleasant greeting.

And when you seem more confident and happier, people tend to assume you’re more successful (which would be the reason you are feeling confident) which in turn ensures that they think you are more likely to be highly capable.

Social benefits

If you thought that facial feedback was an impressive effect, then you will likely be more impressed still with the “mirror neurons” in our brain which fire when we see someone else pull an expression too.

It means that when you smile at someone, it automatically causes them to produce endorphins and to feel happier too. This then means that if you smile every time you see someone, they will then feel happier every time they see you too.

This association of course will then ensure that they are more likely to want to spend time with you and that will boost your social life, aid your career and help you to become more likely to succeed generally.

At the same time, because you will look happier and more confident this will also lead people to believe that you are both of those things.

You tend to be more approachable

Studies have found that people are more willing to engage socially with others who are smiling. A smile is indeed an inviting facial expression that tells people you are willing to talk and interact with them.

It will make you far more comfortable

Our natural tendency is to stick to things that are familiar, but smiling tends to decrease this need. A study found that smiling can make you more comfortable in situations you would otherwise feel very awkward in.

Increases productivity at work

Not only can smiling make you feel happier and more positive, but it can also help you become far more productive. Studies have shown that being happy has a great effect on productivity in the workplace.

It improves effectiveness in the workplace

The benefits of smiling extend beyond interpersonal relationships to even the work environment. Smiling at your co-workers creates moments of connection that lead to greater productivity and teamwork.

You will make a better leader

Smiling is a more effective leadership technique than having great management responsibilities. If you are in a position of power or want to be in one, smiling may be the key to your success.

Smiling helps you live longer

Lower stress levels tend to prolong lifespan, then smiling prolongs lifespan. Studies have shown people who smile are viewed by others as more attractive, reliable, relaxed, and even far more sincere.

Seeing a smiling face activates the orbit frontal cortex, the region of your brain that processes sensory rewards. This in turn suggests that your brain feels rewarded when you see a smile.

It makes you look younger

Smiling can also make you look younger than you are! On average, the research has shown that you normally can look about three years younger. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks for sure.

My words

Smiling is like a superpower and free therapy. As you can see, changing the way you look and act can make you become the person you want.

Practicing smiling makes one perfect. On average, children smile, 400 times a day, whereas the happiest adults only smile 40-50 times a day.

It can be learned, practiced diligently, and improved upon of course. The smile on your face could literally make you happier, healthier, more effective, way more attractive, and you will live a longer life.

So do watch a funny movie or even a sitcom, play more with your kids, hang out with happy people and practice calling to mind someone who really lights you up when you are posing for a picture.

You must read:

  1. Apply these 5 ways to be happy in life
  2. Healthy mouth brings healthier lives
  3. Improve your health with true relationships