Did you know that just by smiling you will feel better, be healthier, and more successful than someone who does not smile? A 30 year research study from Berkeley found that students who smiled in the yearbook of their senior year of High School felt better about themselves, were healthier, and more successful 30 years later than their classmates who did not smile.
Have you ever heard the myth that newborns don’t smile? Well, this is simply not true. Three-dimensional ultrasound imaging shows developing babies smiling in the womb. After birth, babies continue to smile; however, mostly while sleeping.
As adults, most of us smile on the average 20 times a day. Compare that to children who smile 400 times a day! Not too impressive for adults. There has been a lot of research conducted over the years as to the benefits of smiling. Let me share with you some of this research:
Using a Functional MRI scientist can see that just by smiling the emotional part of the brain releases happy hormones. These hormones (endorphins) help reduce pain, reduce stress, as well as help the body to repair, re-energize, and rebuild at the cellular level.
So if you are looking for easy ways to become healthier…then smile more often!
When you are stressed several things happen to your body. Your pulse rate and blood sugar level goes up, your digestion shuts down, your breathing quickens, and your facial expressions tighten…your whole body goes into fight or flight! However, two things that you have total control over at this point are your breathing and facial expressions. By slowing your breathing and smiling you are able to reduce the stress significantly!
Smiling has also been found to be more powerful than chocolate, which has long been thought of as a pleasure-inducer in the body. Did you know that one smile releases more endorphins than 2,000 chocolate bars!
People who open their heart are more prone to smile than people who do not “use” their heart. Simply smiling actually strengthens the heart and lungs, boosts the immune system and increase metabolism. In addition, smiling also increases oxytocin which helps us feel love and bond with others; while at the same time, reduces cortisol and epinephrine…commonly known as the stress hormones.
Finally, research shows that smiling definitely boost your mood, makes you seem more attractive, sociable and confident, and more likely to get a promotion. So make smiling a part of who you are and what you do each day!
Nancy Gordon, Ph.D.
Psychoneuroimmunologist
National Wellness Consultant, Author, Lecturer, and Coach
Level5ConsultingandCoaching.com
Author: The Guiding Philosophy for the Future of Healthcare: It’s Not What You Think…Actually It Is What You Think!