What a Smile Can Do for You

Smiling is the simplest way to change your mood and make a day better. What you might not realize is that smiling is also a great way to keep yourself healthy! Not only does smiling help express your feelings, it also assists with keeping you mentally and physically happy and healthy.

The other day I was in a rotten mood, nothing seemed to be going the way I had planned. I was stuck in my car and stewing over the events of the day. Along comes a car, going really fast, and I assume this is going to be another bad situation to add to my day. Instead, the woman driving smiles and waves my way, beaming from ear to ear. What can you do? I smiled back and shook my head in disbelief. Within a couple minutes I found myself feeling a bit calmer and just a bit happier.

Smiling is a unique thing. As babies we learn how to smile from countless hours of observing everyone smiling at us. At some point we realized that if we smiled back to all that smiling, positive attention would be showered upon us. A person has a general reflexive response to someone smiling at him or her - you smile back! No matter how old you are, what mood you are in, or what you are doing, many of us will return a smile, even to a total stranger.

When smiling, the face moves upward and seems more open. Many people show their teeth while smiling, their cheeks round, and their eye glisten. These are all characteristics that people find attractive and help make others feel comfortable and more accepting of you. Think about it, when you are in a public place and observing others around you, many times you are drawn to those that are smiling.

Along with helping us to look attractive, smiling releases endorphins and serotonin - a neurotransmitter that basically helps make us feel good and keeps our moods stable. Just cracking a little smile alleviates stress and starts the process in our brains to change moods and behaviors. Smiling is free - it doesn't cost anything, so give it a try before drowning your sorrows in something that cost money!

When you are in a good mood and feeling positive, your whole body happy. Your blood pressure goes down, your brain is active, and your stress levels balance out. Smiling is great therapy! I know when I am feeling depressed, watching a funny movie gets me smiling and eventually laughing. Many times by the time the movie is over, my mood has changed and I am feeling much more positive.

The most important thing about smiling is that it is contagious. When you take the time to look someone in the eye and smile at them, they take notice of you and smile back. It is a mini-acknowledgement and acceptance of YOU! That always makes you feel better, and the person that gets the smile also feels great. They pass that smile on to someone else, and the chain of smiling begins! Everyone wins out with a smile.

Smile at someone today! It will make you feel great and it just might make their day. The next time you are having a hard day, take a walk around and smile at others. If no one is around, smile at yourself! Appreciate the power of a smile!

http://longevity.about.com/od/lifelongbeauty/tp/smiling.htm

http://ezinearticles.com/?Smiling-Is-Good-For-Your-Health&id=438527