Have you noticed how people light up when they smile? Do you think that you light up like that when you smile. I am sure you do.
When you are out and about, have you ever noticed how many people smile?
How about when you walk around with a smile, do people respond by smiling back?
A smile is like a free gift we can give to another, even a stranger in passing and very often that gift will be passed on to the next person; it may even ‘come back’ to you.
A smile
- makes you feel good
- releases serotonin
- produces endorphins
- makes you look good
- makes others feel good
- relieves stress
- is contagious
- is beautiful
- inspires others
- helps with the immune system
- makes you appear confident and capable
- feels like eating chocolate
- makes you appear more attractive
Researchers of the British Dental Health Foundations measured the activity of the heart and brain of volunteers. Pictures of smiling people were shown and they were given money and chocolate. The research showed that a smile and eating chocolate produced the same level of stimulation.
Dr. Nigel Carter, chief executive of the Foundation, pointed out, “We have long been drawing attention to the fact that smiling increases happiness both in yourself and those around you, so it is good to receive the backing of this scientific research … A healthy smile can improve your confidence, help you make friends and help you to succeed in your career … “
What’s even better is that the more you smile, the more others will too. Dr. David Lewis a psychologist, “Seeing a smile creates what is termed as a ‘halo’ effect, helping us to remember other happy events more vividly, feel more optimistic, more positive and more motivated.”
Have you heard the old saying?
“A smile is a little curve that sets a lot of things straight.”
Did you know it takes 26 muscles to Smile?
And 62 muscles to frown!
Try this:
Smile for 60 seconds. Remember you are releasing endorphins and serotonin while you are doing it.
Maybe you would like to start each day with smiling for 60 seconds to set the tone for the day?
Do you want to step it up?
Smile at yourself for 60 seconds in the mirror.
Another option:
Get together with a friend and smile at each other for 60 seconds.
By the way if you start to giggle, chuckle or even laugh that’s ok too.
About Yorinda Wanner
I love the thought of inspiring people to empower themselves to live their unlimited Potential.
I belief Life is full of Possibilities.
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Great post! I just got back from a run and decided to smile at everyone passing by… funny how everyone smiled back.:-) Love it.
Thank-you Yorinda for reminding us of how simple but effective smiles can be in creating an atmosphere of happiness and peace with those around us. Smiles truly can improve health and mental energy. The have been proved to improve neurotransmitters as well as our physical energy levels. Thanks
Hi Yorinda,
What a great post…thanks for sharing this.
Now, this is certainly an affordable way to add value to someone’s life and it is something that anyone can do.
Smiling and laughing are 2 of my favorite activities and nothing reduces stress more. (well almost nothing).
One of the simple pleasures that we can all engage in is to make someone smile. You never know, it may just change someone’s day, including your own.
Thanks for this reminder and if everyone would exercise the smile muscles daily, the world would be a more positive and happier place.
Keep inspiring us,
Marc
Marc Korn recently posted..Why You Need To Join A MasterMind Group
Smiling is a great way to make yourself stand out while helping your body to function better. Smile to improve your health, your stress level, and your attractiveness. When you smile, immune function improves possibly because you are more relaxed and the muscles we use to smile lift the face, making a person appear younger. Smiling is just one fun way to live longer.
Tony Tate recently posted..Why Is It Not Okay To Labor in Vain?
Yorinder, smiling is like a tonic and you have come up with 13 good reasons why we should do it. The great joy of it is when we can do it when we feel most like not doing it. That is when we need to smile the most.
Trevor Barrett recently posted..IBOtoolbox Is The Marketing Site You Have Been Looking For
Dear Yorinda, I absolutely love your article on Smile! In fact just this morning I shared this quote on Facebook: “Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.
~Mother Teresa
And you article definitely affirms this quote!
I’m going to try the 30-60 seconds of smiling!
Your friend,
Lynn
Lynn Jones recently posted..What Qualities Does the Perfect Business Partner Need to Have
I remember a friend having a little sign in her house about the 26 muscles to smile compared to 62 to frown. Smiling sure feels good.
Melodie Kantner recently posted..Join Me In A 30 Day EFT Self-Esteem Challenge
I love this post!
I smile at complete strangers when I’m out and about and also take the time to complement people I interact with and I love the effect it has… sometimes people can’t believe someone was being nice!
I remember my Mum coming home one day and grinning from ear to ear because a total stranger stopped her in the street to tell her how lovely she looked and that the colours she was wearing really suited her… it absolutely made her day… week even!
Thank you for reminding us of the power of a smile!
Emma
There really is something magical about smiling. When I’m connecting on the phone, I’ve made it a habit to be smiling while I’m speaking with them and although it sounds a bit “strange”, I know they can feel that smile through the phone!
Eddie
Eddie Espiritu recently posted..No Excuses Summit – More 7 Figure Lessons Revealed
Thank you, Yorinda, for the reminder! How easy I find it to forget the value of a smile, both for me and for those around me.
You reminded me of it, and also brought to my attention a lot more information about the benefits that I had not known.
Alan
Alan Jenkin recently posted..I love this business!
Great Post Yorinda. smiling is a great gift. I find people do not smile enough these days and your right we need to share that gift with everyone we meet and pass. Very interesting the effects it has one the body.
Julie Elliott recently posted..Are you ready to take a stand
Yorinda, thank you for this post! I sometime forget about all the benefits that smiling brings into my life! I’m sitting in a coffee shop right now, I guess i’m going to need to try it at the cute girl sitting across the room from me
Keep up the great work,
Chris
Great to meet you Yorinda,
I agree with the previous comment, I love this post also
Smiling is very important and even myself forgot to smile and laugh sometimes.
It’s amazing what happens when you release the tension from your face isn’t it… and smile instead of frown!
Thanks for reminding me to focus on it again.
Gavin Mountford
Gavin Mountford recently posted..How You Can Use Traffic Geyser For MLM
Hey Yorinda
I love this post
When I travel and language is a barrier a smile says a thousand words.
Peter Fuller MBA recently posted..Support my entry to the Famousbloggers ComLuv contest
Yep, smiling is a great way to release endorphins. The fabulous part is, your brain can’t tell the difference in a real smile and a smile coming only from the muscles. It’s the actual muscle action to causes the endorphin release. So, smile whether you feel like or not, and soon you’ll be feeling more like smiling.
Live with passion and purpose,
Vanessa
Vanessa recently posted..What Type of Traveler are You
Yorinda, smiling is contagious…just like yawning. I hope to smile a bit more after reading your post.
Tim Somers recently posted..Relationship Building Strategies For Building Your Business
Thanks, Yorinda! You’ve really have a great list of all the benefits of smiling and I sure know it makes me feel better when I do so. Your recommended exercise of smiling at ourselves in the mirror for 60 seconds does really work. It’s quick and easy to do and so easy to repeat as needed. Thanks for the suggestion!
I’m smiling at you now so we can enjoy the benefits!
Dawn and (Dave)
Your article made me smile!
Hi Yorinda,
Smiles are more powerful than we think! I have always liked this little piece of advice…Smile, even if you don’t feel like it. It’s true it really works, when you’re not feeling so great just smile and it’s an instant lift
Cheers,
Lynn
Lynn Glaser recently posted..Some Of My Top Reads For New And Old- Entrepreneurs
Today my husband sent me a text message from working telling me how much he loved me and to have a good day. I sent him a message back telling him that he put a big smile on my face! (-: Putting a smile on our faces tells the world…life is good even when it could be better and that positive energy is on my side!
Debby
Hi Yorinda,
MaryKay
Thanks for the post. A smile makes such a difference in your life. I even smile when I talk on the phone because I believe you can hear in someone’s voice when they are smiling!
MaryKay Edelen recently posted..How To Add A Gravatar To Your Comments On WordPress
It always amazes me how nice people are that smile. It does make a difference in your life. Thanks for the reminder Yorinda
Nelson recently posted..“He was Voted Most Likely To Not Make It”
Yorinda,
Thanks for such a lovely post on such an underappreciated topic. Definitely, our mood can follow our physiology and this is such an easy way to jumpstart the system and create a good day.
Thanks so much,
Adam
Dr. Adam Sheck recently posted..Stop Making Excuses For Not Having Sex-
Thanks, Yorinda, for the reminder! I realize that from an exercise standpoint a frown may be 62/26 times more effective than a smile, but I can see the other benefits far outweigh this effect. A good thing I get my exercise from running, not frowning
Alan Jenkin recently posted..Do You Like Calling Business Leads
Yorinda, Great post! Very interesting information about smiling. Wow I never new it took so many muscles to smile, and frown. I think I’m going to try to smile more. Keep Smiling
Joseph McDevitt
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