A smile does more than show others you are in a good mood. Apart from making friends, here are eight more reasons why you should smile more.
1. Lowers Heart Rate
Smiling slows the heart and relaxes the body. This lets the heart work without overworking. People who smile and laugh often are less likely to develop heart disease. Smiling reduces blood pressure temporarily too.
2. Reduces Stress
Stress is a common problem in these times and a major cause of numerous health problems. Stress relief may be as simple as smiling a little more throughout the day. Smiling releases endorphins that counteract and diminish the stress hormones.
3. Gets You in a Better Mood
The endorphins do more than kick stress to the curb. Endorphins lift your mood. Feeling low? Place a smile on your face, even if it’s fake at the onset, and turn your entire day around with something simple, easy to do, and free.
4. Increases Productivity
Smiling has been shown to increase productivity while performing tasks. Ever watched a funny video when stressed at work? See how full of life and ready to work you are afterwards? Researchers have found that funny videos and pictures of cute animals can actually get people motivated and working harder after a few moments of smiling or laughter.
5. Kills Pain
Smiling and laughter both have been shown to lessen pain. They release endorphins that lift our moods, but many of these act as natural painkillers too.
6. Helps You Look Younger
Smiles naturally lift the face and in studies have shown to make people look younger, around 3 years younger on average.
7. Makes You Live Longer
The effects of a good smile extend past just the exterior good looks. People who smile more often live longer too, around 7 years longer than most according to one study. It releases stress, helps the heart, and much more to keep you healthy longer.
8. Boost Immune System
Smiles help the body relax and this lets the immune system react more quickly and effectively against invaders.
So start smiling more often. You can do this by surrounding yourself with family and friends who make you happy or , by watching your favorite comedy.