Smiling is really good for you. You probably won’t be surprised to hear that smiling makes you more attractive. And you might not be surprised to learn that smiling can make you happier. But here’s a really amazing thing about smiling–it can actually make you healthier.
You see, when you smile it causes your brain to release endorphins. Endorphins are neurotransmitters released by the pituitary gland during periods of stress. They help your body relieve pain and they also create pleasurable feelings. So if you’re feeling a little grumpy but you force yourself to smile, it can actually enhance your mood.
Smiling Retrains Your Mind
If you smile often enough, you can retrain your mind to make yourself a more positive person.
The more you smile, the more effective you are at breaking the brain’s natural tendency to think negatively. If you smile often enough, you end up rewiring your brain to make positive patterns more often than it does negative ones.
In addition to relieving pain and making you feel better, smiling can also lower your heart rate. Plus, smiling can also boost your immune system. There’s evidence that smiling will
“Release tension on a cellular level.”
Smiling Makes You More Likable
When you smile, people are more likely to think of you as nicer and more approachable. A study from Penn State University found that employees in the service industry who smile more often were rated as “more likable and friendly” by customers.
Smiling creates feelings of trust and empathy. Research demonstrates that “we are more trustful of others when they smile.” That’s why it’s natural to smile when we do something that makes us feel embarrassed. Smiling “breaks the initial ice of embarrassment, promotes leniency in what others think of us, and engenders a sense of empathy.”
Smiling Makes You More Attractive
Smiling makes you appear younger and more attractive. Twenty-six muscles are involved in smiling. By activating these muscles, you lift your face. That’s why smiling makes you look “three years younger on average.”
Enhancing Your Smile in San Diego, CA
Dr. Henninger specializes in enhancing smiles, as well as treating sleep apnea. Schedule an appointment today to find out more about how Dr. Henninger can improve your life.