It's Great to Smile

In an earlier blog post, I discussed reasons for why people should laugh, and how the simple act benefits us. Following that would be a blog post dedicated to why it is good for us to smile. Smiling is a natural way of expressing, or showing our happiness.

Here are reasons for WHY YOU OR ANYONE SHOULD SMILE MORE OFTEN:

• SMILING IS CONTAGIOUS. Studies show that when you see a smiling face, whether it be your coworker, friend, loved one, or anybody else, that triggers a smile of your own. You smiling can make others smile too.

• Even when you aren't so cheerful, the act of smiling can change that for you. Smiling sends a message to your brain saying "I'm happy!" An article written in 1984 showed when people mimic emotional expressions, their bodies produce physiological effects that reflect the same emotion, like in breathing or heart rate.

• It may help with de-stressing. It can reduce symptoms of anxiety! A smile signals to your brain that you are happy, and that helps to slow breathing and heart rate. And reducing stress is goof for your body too - lowering blood pressure, improving digestion, and regulating blood sugar.

• It can lead to laughter. Laughing, as you may know, has it's many benefits, including lowering blood sugar levels, improving sleep, and reducing stress. These two are a powerful combination- smiling and laughing. They are like Batman and Robin.

SO GRIN, BEAM, SMIRK, SMILE, AND JUST BE FREE!






~Alexis

Walters, Jennipher. "7 Good Reasons to Smile." Sparkpeople.com. SPARKPEOPLE, n.d. Web. 17 May 2016. <http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/wellness_articles.asp?id=1529&page=3>.