Smile! Have you ever wondered if the simple act of putting a smile on your face could really impact your life? For some people, it’s truly a challenge to squeeze those cheek muscles and bear even a slight grin. No, I’m not talking about passing gas, unless that, indeed, makes you smile… In all seriousness, smiling can positively impact your daily life, so why not give it a try? You might surprise yourself…and you might even feel that happiness worm its way into your life.
Don’t worry; be happy…a smile is all it takes!
Sit back and think for a minute about the last time you saw someone smile. Was it today, yesterday…maybe last week? Here’s the thing: if you don’t regularly see people who smile, chances are you won’t be smiley yourself. So, right now, take a quick pause and find a mirror, or flip your smartphone camera into selfie mode, and give yourself a big, toothy smile.
How do you feel? Silly? Embarrassed? Maybe a teensy weensy bit happy? Well, whether you like it or not, that smile just did a whole lot in that brain of yours, and even though it may have been forced, maybe you made yourself giggle, at least on the inside.
Plus, that smile you may be hiding is free, you know. It doesn’t cost you anything and it will ultimately make you feel better, as long as you embrace it and keep your smiling game running steadily. Who doesn’t like free happiness?
5 Benefits of Putting a Smile on Your Face:
- Happy Hormones. Endorphins are released when you bear a grin and it can instantly make you feel better. Just smiling alone, you can change your view of a less-than-positive situation. Put it to the test: genuinely smile, again, but this time take a couple slow, deep breaths. Give those uplifting hormones a chance to settle in. Now, how do you feel?
- Share-a-Smile. I’m sure you know the saying that animals can smell fear, right? Well, it turns out that humans can sense the emotions of other humans through observation. Shocking, I know. Hear me out: if you get an irritated vibe from someone, how likely is it that you will smile (genuinely) while interacting with that person? Chances are the likeliness is close to none. The point is, share your smile and your smile will be shared. Take babies, for instance…don’t they tend to give you a gummy grin at you when share a smile yourself? Think about it.
- Practice Poise. Smiling can make you feel more certain of yourself or of a situation. Show others that you are confident in your own skin and your own decisions by putting a smile on your face. It can be just the boost you need to get through tough circumstances or to elevate to a greater emotional level. When you smile, you appear confident. Even if you aren’t feeling it, the endorphins that are released will aid in keeping you calm and collected.
- Conquer Community. As to which #2 alludes, you come off classy, yet approachable, when you turn that frown upside down. You give off a sense of openness and friendliness and people will feel at ease while in your presence. In the end, this can lead to more occasions for socializing, which is never a bad thing! Broaden your social circle and challenge yourself to make some new connections.
- Alleviate Anxiety. You tend to become dejected when you’re filled with anxiety. It is mentally and physically deteriorating. You’re in luck, however, because you can aid in making yourself a little bit less stressed just by smiling. Think of this domino effect: you smile, then your partner feels happy and smiles, which, in return, makes you feel happiness (even if you don’t feel it immediately, those endorphins will kick in eventually). This can go on and on and the more it happens, the more relaxed you will begin to feel.
Okay, let’s try it again; make a happy face, look at yourself in a mirror or camera if you can. If you’re like me, you probably feel like your smile is forced, or even fake. That’s fair, but try it again and, this time, think about something that truly makes you happy. There’s a big chance that your smile will feel real this time, at least I hope it does! Practice this technique and use these tips to ensure that you smile more often. It’s good for you and it’s good for your family and friends. Go ahead, exercise those cheek muscles…the ones on your face, obviously.
