The Simple Smile Is Your Super Power

There’s nothing like the simple act of smiling to make you feel better, especially when you’re down in the dumps. You’ve done it, and you know what I mean, right?

A smile is one of the simplest things you can do to lift your spirits, and help others feel better.

When you smile, it “turns your frown upside-down” magically changing your mood and brightening your day.

We haven’t even mentioned the other proven health benefits. Just think, smiling more could save your hard earned cash on doctor’s bills!

There’s Science Behind The Smile

When you smile, your brain releases neurochemical substances such as serotonin, dopamine, and opioids. These neurochemicals help to improve your mood and make you feel happier.

The muscles in our faces relax when we smile which which leads to a reduction in stress hormones like cortisol.

In fact, a study by the University of Cardiff in the UK found that smiling can actually increase your lifespan!

There are many significant scientific factors that establish the health benefits of smiling. It may surprise you how many there are, but this is as deep as I’m going to go here because this isn’t a page pulled from a medical journal.

Smiles Can Take Over The Room

You’ve likely heard the phrase of compliment for someone, “Her/His smile is infectious!” You’ve been there and felt it, right? Their smile is like pleasing perfume, or cologne. It’s more than an aroma. It evokes a positive feeling!

When you see someone else smiling, it often triggers a positive reaction in your own brain and makes you feel happy as well. So, the moral of the story: If you want to brighten your day, a simple smile can become an effective chain reaction that grows.

People Are More Open And Friendly Around You

There are times when we all need some solitude. Times to relax, kick back, and refill our emotional tanks. But, as a general rule, most people flourish best when they are in the company of others. We all need the human touch of relationships.

When we smile, others feel more secure. That, in turn, increases our sense of confidence and self-worth.

When we smile, it helps create an open atmosphere that breathes with honesty and encouragement.

Smiles with a conversation adds value to the words spoken. In fact, a smile alone can speak volumes unheard by the ear, but felt by the heart.

The Door Opener for Problem Solving

Stress is a well-known creativity killer, says psychologist Robert Epstein, PhD.

However Smiling, as stated earlier, has a relaxing effect that also releases anti-stress hormones. Therefore, the reduction of stress becomes an open door for creative thinking. Problem solving is an important function of creative thinking. Stress does not actually help with problem solving. It hinders it.

The First Smiley Face

The first smiley face was created in 1963 by Harvey Ball, a commercial artist from Massachusetts. As quoted from the same article linked here, Ball dedicated the first Friday of October 1999 for just spreading smiles and kind acts throughout the world. The day was officially known as World Smile Day.

Making A Long Story Short

The best gift you can give yourself and others is a smiling face. When you’re feeling down, a smile is the magic pill that picks you up, and does wonders for your physical, and emotional health.

When you have a problem that needs a solution, smiles will help smooth your path.

When you carry a smile on your lips, you help plant seeds of peace in your part of the world. Since a smile is highly contagious, you won’t be able to see the end of results of the seed you planted. Smiles multiply like rabbits.

There’s no downside. Only up!

Thanks for reading…and smiling :-)