The power of the smile

“Smiling is contagious, you catch it like the flu,
When someone smiled at me today, I started smiling too.
I passed around the corner, and someone saw my grin –
When he smiled I realized, I’d passed it on to him.
I thought about that smile, then I realized its worth,
A single smile, just like mine, could travel round the earth.
So, if you feel a smile begin, don’t leave it undetected –
Let’s start an epidemic quick and get the world infected!!”

I love to smile. I try to smile as much as I can!! I started reading a few years ago about the benefits and facts of smiling and I wanted to share it with you guys if you haven’t read them yet. Here they are:

1. Forcing yourself to smile can boost your mood: Psychologists have found that even if you’re in bad mood, you can instantly lift your spirits by forcing yourself to smile. Even if your sad or angry you can try this exercise: hold a smile for 5 min. before you get to the 5 min. you will be smiling, trusts me! haha

2. Improves your immune system: Smiling really can improve your physical health, too. Your body is more relaxed when you smile, which contributes to good health and a stronger immune system.

3. Smiles are contagious: It’s not just a saying: smiling really is contagious, scientists say. In a study conducted in Sweden, people had difficulty frowning when they looked at other subjects who were smiling, and their muscles twitched into smiles all on their own. Even listening to people laughing is contagiuos.

4. Smiles Relieve Stress: Your body immediately releases endorphins when you smile, even when you force it. This sudden change in mood will help you feel better and release stress.

5. Smiles are more attractive than makeup: A research study conducted by Orbit Complete discovered that 69% of people find women more attractive when they smile than when they are wearing makeup.

6. Smiling is a natural drug: Researches have proved that smiling is a natural medications and it releases endorphins, serotonin and natural pain killers. With the use of these three, you feel better but with smile, you don’t need to use them because Smiling is a natural drug.

7. There are 19 different types of smiles: UC-San Francisco researcher identified 19 types of smiles and put them into two categories: polite “social” smiles which engage fewer muscles, and sincere “felt” smiles that use more muscles on both sides of the face.

8. Smiling lowers blood pressure: When you smile, there is a measurable reduction in your blood pressure. Give it a try if you have a blood pressure monitor at home. Sit for a few minutes, take a reading. Then smile for a minute and take another reading while still smiling. Do you notice a difference?

9. Smiling lifts the Face and makes you look younger: The muscles we use to smile lift the face, making a person appear younger. Don’t go for a botox (lol), just try smiling your way through the day — you’ll look younger and feel better.

10. Smiling helps to stay positive: Try this: Smile. Now try to think of something negative without losing the smile. It’s hard!! When we smile our body is sending the rest of us a message that “Life is Wonderful!” Stay away from sadness, stress and start smiling more.

Have a wonderful day!!

xoxo,

Cristina