A beautiful smile is a wonderful thing. It can have a powerful impact on the mood of other people and can even promote good health.
Several studies have shown that those around us normally consider a genuine smile to be attractive. Other studies have revealed that the act of smiling can boost your mood and the mood of the people around you. Perhaps, the most important discovery is that the simple act of smiling can have both short-term and long-term health benefits.
That said, here are some health benefits you can enjoy when you smile:
Stress Relief
Stress can really wear you down, making you look tired and overwhelmed. Smiling is effective in reducing stress. Whenever you are stressed, try to put on a smile.
This will not only reduce your stress, but it will also have a positive effect on those around you.
Control Heart Rate
Smiling is effective in slowing the heart and relaxing the body. Consequently, your heart will perform its functions without strain. Studies have shown that individuals who smile and laugh often have a lower risk of developing heart disease.
Lower Blood Pressure
Smile and laughing often have been shown to help lower blood pressure. This can help promote good heart health. According to a 2009 review, laughter leads to an increase in heart rate. This, in turn, causes the muscle to relax, resulting in a drop in heart rate and blood pressure. With a lower heart rate and blood pressure, you become less likely to develop heart disease.
Improve Mood
Whenever you feel downcast, simply put on a smile. You’re highly likely to experience an improvement in your mood. The physical act of smiling triggers neural massaging in the brain, which helps to boost your mood.
A simple smile can activate the production of mood-boosting neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine.
Pain Relief
Smiling and laughter have been proven to help alleviate pain. When you smile or laugh, you induce the release of endorphins. Endorphins help not only to improve your mood but also to relieve pain.
According to a 2012 study, social laughter can increase your pain threshold effectively increasing your pain-tolerance increases. So, whenever you are in pain, consider engaging in activities that will make you smile and laugh, like hanging out with exciting friends.
Boost Immune System
Smiling and laughter are effective in boosting the immune system. When you smile or laugh, you trigger the release of signaling molecules in your brain. These molecules help combat stress and diseases.
In a 2015 study, it was revealed that laughter therapy could increase immune responses in women who have just given birth.
Longer Life
Studies have shown that people who smile more often live about seven years longer than those who rarely smile. That’s because smile relieves stress and promotes good heart health.
With all these benefits, it suffices to say that smiling is indeed the best medicine. Hence, you should always find a reason to smile.
