We all have a Super Human Gift that we don't use often enough. And right now, you can wear it on your beautiful face :)
It’s been scientifically proven that smiles are contagious! But that's just one of their superpowers. There are amazing health benefits and studies that show just how super powerful smiles really are...
Let me list just a few more...
2) It works like a happy pill.
Smiling elevates your mood and creates a sense of well-being. The longer you smile, the longer it has this prolonged effect. As behavioral psychologist, Sarah Stevenson writes in
this blog, “Each time you smile you throw a little feel-good party in your
brain.”
dopamine,
endorphins, and serotonin.
3) Smiling enables more pleasure in the brain than chocolate!
Considering chocolate is my favorite treat, I almost didn’t believe this study at first. I know you’re probably skeptical too, but I suggest you pick up the book 'Smile: The Astonishing Powers of a Simple Act,’ by Ron Gutman, the "researchers found that one smile can generate the same level of brain stimulation as up to 2,000 bars of chocolate.” - crazy right!
Try smiling for 1 full minute and see if you feel more stimulated yourself.
4) ‘Faking It’ still boosts your mood.
Even if you put on an act, and your smile doesn’t feel genuine, your mood is still uplifted. Proving that smiling can actually be a prime source of happiness and a wonderful way to feel a bit better even when we're upset.
5) Smiling makes you instantly more interesting
According to Psychology Today, when people see you smile, they instantly want to get to know you and learn more about you. So perhaps smiling is the key to landing a date or getting that job promotion.
6) Smiling can make you live longer
As if smiling didn’t have enough wonderful properties already, there is now research that shows it can add up to 7 years to your life expectancy!A recent 2010 study at 'Wayne State University’ researched old major league player baseball cards. According to Gutman, “the researchers found that the span of a player's smile could predict the span of his life. Players who didn't smile in their pictures lived an average of only 72.9 years, where players with beaming smiles lived an average of almost 80 years.”
7) Smiling makes you instantly attractive
Many studies show that images of people wearing a smile appear more attractive than images of people who don't. Psychology Today mentions that smiling can actually make you appear younger than you actually are.
M. Selig, theory on this is that smiling "provides you with a mini-facelift. Turning up the corners of your mouth raises your entire face, including cheeks, jowls, and neck."
So if we never find that fountain of youth, this trick is the next best thing!
So here they all are listed again...
_
Smiling Benefits:
1) Are contagious.
2) Work like a happy pill.
3) Even faking it will make you happier.
4) Makes you more intriguing & interesting!
5) Can make you live longer.
6) Makes you instantly more attractive.
What’s even better is that smiling has a ripple effect…
Since they’re contagious, when you smile at someone else all of these wonderful benefits affect them too. So they really are a wonderful gift to give that helps us just as much as it helps them.
So share your smiles, because the world needs them.
I know there are certain situations where we just can’t bear to wear a smile ...that’s just part of being human. But every day, we have control over this one thing - our attitude. And a simple smile will improve your attitude even if your not consciously aware of it.
Try smiling in the mirror for 60 seconds and see for yourself.
So now that you know just a few amazing benefits of smiling. Here’s a reminder of today’s challenge:
Today, let’s smile at everyone we encounter...
Even if it's your boss, co-worker, a complete stranger, or even someone you had a recent conflict with. This simple gesture can uplift anyone's spirit. And I can almost guarantee you’ll receive one back. AND when you look in the mirror today, wear another smile (because smiling at yourself counts too!)
And you deserve one just as much as everyone else!
--
With love, kindness
...& smiles
:)
-Brittany
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Start practicing simple & powerful love tasks daily with The Beauty Journal. It's the simplest way to get you happier, thinking positive, and feel good every day.
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- Challenge Prize -
To receive a free gift at the end of the challenge, name 3 people you smiled at today in the comment box below.
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Did you complete yesterdays challenge?If you did, please share a compliment you gave in the blog post.
Claribel
October 12, 2017
I smiled at my daughter when she woke up for school this morning. Smiled at her bus driver and also smiled at a new neighbor. I never knew that smiling can help you live longer.