Whether you’re faking one for a photo, or actually feeling genuinely happy, a smile will benefit you no matter what. Many studies have revealed that smiling has more benefits that one could imagine. Now flash those chompers with a goofy grin and find out how you can benefit from a constant smile.
1. Leads to Success and Better Overall Well-being
In a study conducted by the University of California at Berkeley over the course of 30 years, smiles from old yearbook photos were analyzed from wideness and sincerity. Those with the biggest smiles ranked highest in fulfillment and length of marriage, general happiness, and how inspirational they are to be around. So, take a peek at your high school yearbook and see if your high school had similar results.
2. Live Longer!
In another study conducted by Wayne State University, smiles in old photos of baseball players from 1952 were analyzed. The shocking findings show that players who smiled in the photos had a longer life expectancy than those who did not. The smiling players live to an average 79.9 years old, but the flat faced players only lived to 72.9 on average. That’s a pretty big reason to say cheese on your rookie card!
3. Universal Compassion
Smiling is the most common, global form of communication. Everyone does it! There is no need to speak the same language, a smile means the same thing from country to country.
4. Spread the Love, It’s Contagious
Smiling is evolutionarily contagious, you may have noticed how difficult it is to not smile when a stranger flashes you a grin. We all unconsciously reflect the smile, inadvertently making us feel the physical manifestation of compassion. Through this we are accidentally forming an unspoken connection to the stranger.
5. Fake It ‘Til You Make It
In yet another study from the Echnische Universität in Munich Germany, an MRI was used to map brain activity when a participant faked a smile. The study showed that the same neural connections made in the brain when we experience happiness, were also triggered when we pretended to smile. So, you can literally smile your way into being happier.
6. Therapeutic and Health Benefits
Smiling also has a number of health benefits, actual physical health benefits. Smiling is proven to reduce stress hormones such as cortisol, adrenaline, and dopamine. Consequently, your blood pressure is lowered. Smiling also increases health and mood enhancing hormones such as endorphins.
Now you’ve read about some of the unexpected benefits of smiling. It can lead to great professional and personal success. Smiling can help you live a longer life. Smiling can help you feel more compassionate toward other people. Smiling can help you express love to a close companion. Finally, smiling offers tangible health benefts such as lowering your blood pressure and increasing your ability to concerntrate in difficult tasks.
What are some ways that you, the readers, enjoy smiling? Tell me about some of your favorite smiling moments in the comments section and I’ll be sure to respond.
Featured images:
License: Royalty Free or iStock source: shutterstock.com
Zane Schwarzlose is a blogger for A Beautiful Smile at Lake Pointe, a Sugar Land dental office. Zane is a fan of smiling.