When you smile, it triggers activity in your brain – specifically in your left frontal cortex. This is the part of your brain in which you feel happiness. Who doesn’t want to be happy? Isn’t the desire for happiness reason enough to smile?
Here are some other reasons to smile.
Smiling is the perfect pick-me up
Once again, there is some brain activity happening when you show your pearly whites. Even if you smile when you’re unhappy, your brain can’t help but send out signals telling you otherwise. So, if you’re feeling blue, just smile. Your brain will do the rest.
Smiling makes others happy
When you smile, people smile back at you. They can’t help it: it’s contagious! So make someone happy… smile.
Smiling makes you look more attractive
We smile when we get our picture taken, because we feel we look our best and our happiest. According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, 96 percent of American adults believe that their smiles make them more attractive to the opposite sex.
So, if you’re looking for date, just keep smiling. Someone is sure to notice you.
Smiling reduces stress
Smiling helps you out when you’re feeling anxious. Remember, when you smile it triggers the brain to send out those happy signals. With that, your breathing and your heart rate will begin slow down.
Smiling can lead to laughter
It is impossible not to smile when you’re laughing! Laughter has so many health benefits. You will get a mini ab workout, send more oxygen to your brain, and potentially lower your blood pressure, improve your sleep, and lower your blood sugar.
Laughter also triggers brain activity by releasing endorphins. These natural chemicals helps us feel positive. Smiling and laughing is a win-win activity.
Smiling helps you appear confident
When you’re going on a job interview, you have to look the part. You wear your best clothes, but remember, like the song goes, “you’re never fully dressed without a smile”. Smiling people seem to be more confidant, and they are more likely to get promoted.
The fact is, you use more muscles frowning than you do smiling. Frowning krinkles your eyes and draws your mouth down, creating a grumpy look. When you smile your face is lifted, and it gives you the appearance of being younger. Who wouldn’t want that? You can actually smile years away without any plastic surgery.
So next time you or someone else needs a pick-me-up, remember to smile! It’s free!
-The Alternative Daily