For those of you that may not know, before I worked at Health by Choice, I worked in portrait photography. There was never a dull moment. Some people would smile as soon as I picked up the camera, some people had to be told to smile, and there were those that I all but stood on my head to make smile. In any family picture, you can almost guarantee that there will be one person that does not want to be there and REALLY does not want to smile (even though it would get it done and over with quicker). That one person, once you got him/her to smile once, it was smooth sailing from then on to get that person to smile on cue. That was the key...get them all to smile once, and whatever reason any of them had for not smiling at the beginning - didn't matter anymore. I recently learned that the muscles that we use to smile, actually release endorphins (natural pain killers 3xs more potent then morphine) and serotonin (a neurotransmitter that helps maintain a feeling of happiness, and can help regulate mood by aiding in sleep, relief from anxiety and even depression). You can experience REAL physical and emotional benefits just by smiling. No wonder it got easier after the first smile.
Did you know that there is a valid treatment for people with serious psychological conditions called dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), in which the patients are told to smile (even a partial smile) upon waking? This is thought to help the patients to cope with stressors throughout the day. The concept is that the more patients smile? The more their bodies release serotonin - the more their bodies are able to regulate their mood with less or even without the use of external substances. Would it be possible to reduce the occurrence of “bad days” if you just smiled more? Ever think about having a favorite picture or a joke by your bed or on the bathroom mirror to start your day with a smile?
I also found that there are many studies from all around the world, where they compared "smiley" people, with those that "fake" smiled. These studies varied with different nationalities, age, professions, settings, situations, etc...But one thing was consistent - the results. People that smile more, at least in appearance, are more attractive, younger looking, self-confident, pleasant, sincere, competent and have more fulfilling social bonds. Let's face it no one wants to be around someone that is always negative.
Smiling is contagious. Charles Darwin had a theory called the "feedback loop" or "facial feedback hypothesis". He basically suggested that smiling=happiness and happiness=smiling. I love the mood lift, when around someone that always smiles, a genuine smile, every time we see each other. “The most revolutionary act one can commit in our world is to be happy,” said Dr. Patch Adams, in a Time Magazine article.
Make a big impact without having to spend a large amount of time or money. SMILE FOR YOUR HEALTH and everyone around you!
By Tina McElwee, Store Manager
Posted by Tina McElwee on February 22, 2012 at 11:28 AM under
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