The Many Benefits of Smiling

How Smiling Can Improve Your Health

Most people agree that smiling helps you look younger and more appealing to others, but did you know that smiling can actually improve your health? Recent research has linked smiling to a number of valuable benefits that can improve your quality of life.

Keep reading to learn how you can benefit from smiling more often.

Reduce Your Stress

Everyone has to deal with stress in their lives, and sometimes it’s difficult finding ways to cope. According to research, smiling when you feel stressed can lower your heart rate and reduce your anxiety. The next time you feel overwhelmed, try smiling and see how it helps.

Improve Your Social Life

If you’re self-conscious about smiling, it can be very damaging to your social life. When you greet people with a smile, they’ll immediately find you more approachable as a result. Sometimes the simple act of smiling is all it takes to meet new friends.

Enhance Your Mood

In addition to making you look happy, smiling actually makes you feel happy too. Every time you smile, your brain releases chemicals called endorphins. Endorphins elevate your mood, helping you feel happy and relaxed.

Increase Your Lifespan

Not only does smiling make you look younger, but it may actually help you live longer as well. A study by Wayne University found that people who smile often live an average of seven years longer than people who don’t.

Smiling is Contagious

When you smile at someone, their brain subconsciously processes your expression and reflects it back at you. This reflex is known as facial mimicry, and you can use it to spread smiles and lift spirits everywhere you go.