Many people think that smiling is just an involuntary response to things that bring you joy or make you laugh. While this is certainly true, it misses an important point that smiling can be a conscious, intentional choice. Whether your smile is real or not, it has many positive effects on your body and mind. Waco Dental will explain how smiling more improves your health below.
Reasons Why You Should Smile
- Smiling helps you live longer. Perhaps the most compelling reason to smile is that it can extend your overall lifespan.
- Smiling relieves stress. Not only does smiling help keep us from looking tired, drained, and overwhelmed, it can even help relieve stress.
- Smiling lifts your spirits. Whether your smile is real or not, a simple smile can trigger the release of neuropeptides that improve your neural communication. It also causes the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, which improve your mood.
- Smiling makes you more attractive. We are naturally attracted to people who smile. While harsher or negative facial expressions such as frowning, frowning, and grimacing can have the opposite effect and effectively turn people off, smiling is perceived as more attractive and younger.
- Smiling affects those around you. Smiling can not only lift your own mood but also change the mood of others. Your brain automatically notices and interprets other people’s facial expressions—and sometimes you might even mimic them. This means you might recognize someone else’s smile and subconsciously smile back at yourself.
- Smiling boosts the immune system. Smiling can also help your immune system work more efficiently, improving your overall health. It is believed that when you smile, immune function improves because you are more relaxed.
- Smiling can lower blood pressure. Smiling can have a positive effect on your blood pressure. Laughter, in particular, appears to lower blood pressure after causing an initial increase in heart rate and respiration.
- Smiling relieves pain. Smiling releases endorphins, other natural pain relievers, and serotonin. Together, these brain chemicals make us feel good from head to toe. Not only do they uplift the spirit, they also relax the body and relieve physical pain. Smiling is a natural medicine.
- Smiling is a sign of success. Studies have shown that people who smile a lot appear more confident, are more likely to get promoted, and are more likely to be approached. Try smiling in meetings and business appointments. You may find that people respond to you differently.
- A smile helps you stay positive. A smile, even if it feels unnatural and forced, can affect positive emotions. Whether your smile is genuine or not, it sends the message that life is good! to your brain and ultimately to the rest of your body.
Things You Can Do To Smile More
Smiling has many mental, social, and physical benefits. If you want to make your smile more important, try the following:
- Practice in front of a mirror: If you do not feel comfortable smiling, practice in front of a mirror.
- Brainstorm activities that make you happy: If you want to smile a little more, find more reasons to smile. Make a list of the little things that make you happy and incorporate them into your daily life as much as possible. This will help you laugh more and improve your mood.
- Fake it as long as you can: Even if you don’t feel like laughing, you can try smiling a few times a day. The act of smiling can trick your brain into releasing hormones that make you feel happier and smarter.
- Schedule regular dental appointments: When you have a smile you feel confident about, you will be sure to smile more.
Boost Your Smile With Waco Dental
If you are self-conscious about your teeth, Waco Dental can help you improve with a smile with veneers, Invisalign, white fillings, dentures, implants, and much more! Dr. Alan Martin is ready to help patients near Waco, TX achieve their best smile in a comfortable, safe, and ethical environment. Call 254-754-3505 to book a consultation today.
