Surprising Reasons Why You Should Smile More…

2023-10-30T16:55:08+00:00

By FDP

There are various reasons anyone could lose their smile and become moody. It could be because they are still frustratingly single (We understand, dear.). Or perhaps they are just angry with their spouse, boss, friends, things around them or even their country. ‘We cannot come and die o’ is a popular phrase. However, the motivation for change is intrinsic, it has to come from within us.There are a couple of reasons why we should smile more, so cheer up sisters!Smiling may seem like an involuntary response to something cute or funny, but it is much more than that. Studies suggest that smiling, forced or not, can have a positive effect on your mood, decrease stress levels, and even make everyone around you feel better. What happy news!It is your brain that controls your facial movement, which leads to a grin. Even in bad situations, if you smile, others are likely to mimic the expression.

Nine Benefits of a Smile to Your Body

Here are nine surprising benefits of smiling that will make you want to smile more.Smiling lowers stress and anxietyIt’s not easy to keep smiling in stressful situations, but studies report that doing exactly that has health benefits. When recovering from a stressful situation, study participants who were smiling had lower heart rates than those with neutral facial expressions. The next time you’re feeling stressed, just try smiling to calm yourself down.

Smiling releases endorphinsSmiling can help you manage stress and anxiety by releasing endophins, chemicals that make you happier. Endorphins are the same chemicals you get from working out or running, resulting in what is known as a runner’s high. Smile more to get that high without running.

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You’ll be more attractiveSmiles are pretty darn attractive for more reasons than one. A smile suggests that you’re personable, easy going, and empathetic. In fact, a study in the European Journal of Social Psychology found that smiling actually makes you more attractive to those you smile at.Smiling strengthens your immune systemSmiling even makes your immune system stronger by making your body produce white blood cells to help fight illnesses. One study found that hospitalized children who were visited by story-tellers and puppeteers who made them smile and laugh had higher white blood cell counts than those children who weren’t visited.You’ll be more approachableTurn that frown upside-down if you want to make some friends!Studies have found that people are more willing to engage socially with others who are smiling. A smile is an inviting facial expression that tells people you are willing to talk and interact with them.Smiling will make you more comfortableOur natural tendency is to stick to things that are familiar, but smiling decreases this need. A study found that smiling can make you more comfortable in situations you would otherwise feel awkward in.You’ll seem more trustworthyIf you want to improve your credibility, simply smile more. What could be easier than that?Trusting doesn’t come easily to many, but smiling at someone may help. Participants in a study conducted at the University of Pittsburgh rated people who smiled as more trustworthy than people with non-smiling facial expressions.You’ll be a better leaderIf you’re in a position of power, or want to be, smiling may be the key to your success. A group of researchers from The University of Montpellier discovered that smiling is a more effective leadership technique than having great management responsibilities.

So, the next time you really want to show off those leadership skills, just grin.

The Takeaway

Smiling is an easy way to boost your mood, be healthier, feel better, and be viewed as more trustworthy and a better leader. Whenever you’re in a stressful situation or are feeling down, slap a grin on your face so you can take advantage of the many benefits smiling has to offer.Alyssa Detweiler