Science of Smiling :D

“Use these moments to energize yourself for the day ahead. First, smile. Whatever you feel like, make yourself smile. It has been shown that even if you fake a smile, it can improve your mood. Keep smiling, and remember to smile throughout the day.”

Quote from one of my favorite things to listen to in the morning. A Morning Uplift – YOU ARE AMAZING The Honest Guys Meditation, click here to listen

When I left CT and moved to Great Barrington, MA (8 years ago now!) my landlord was this little lady who had to be in her 80s at the time. I had never lived outside of CT before, so while it was still somewhat close to home, it was a big step for me; unfamiliar, and unknown. I rented a small apartment in this big old house, and my landlord lived next door and on the same floor. We shared a kitchen which had this door that connected our living spaces, that she could come through at any time…and that she did! She loved to talk and since I was kind of lonely, I had just moved and knew only one person, she sensed this and seemed to want to take me under her wing at times; offering advice, asking about my family and where I had come from. One day she walked me over to a mirror near the bathroom and said that every day she wakes up and smiles at herself in the mirror. She said she puts enthusiasm behind it and just looks at herself smiling, feeling happy and that she wanted me to try it, so I did!

From that day on, it is something I do many mornings and/or often throughout the day (when there is no one looking! Hehe. Though sometimes Jared catches me and I think he pretends he didn’t see it. lol). You should try it, too! Do you always feel like smiling? No! But sometimes if you just do it anyway, you can evoke feelings of joy. It is like sunshine enters you and surrounds you for that second, or that’s how I can describe how it feels!

Be sure to put some feeling behind it! Smile as you would if it were real and natural. Allow your eyebrows to raise up like you have just discovered some good news! Or something that you have been wanting has been given to you. See yourself happy, excited even!. It can also be a good time to repeat some affirmations either aloud or in your mind. I am strong, I am confident, I have everything I need. Go on and try it! Give/gift yourself a smile. 😀 If you are willing to admit it, be sure to let me know how it goes, I’d love to hear from you. 🙂

Also, if you really need some proof or science to back this all up, I went ahead and did a little research to see what other people thought. Take a look below and feel free to do your own!

Each time you smile your brain feels really happy. Smiling activates the release of feel-good-messengers that work towards fighting stress. These messengers help you experience a whole range of emotions, from happiness to sadness, anger to depression. When a smile flashes across your face; dopamine, endorphins and serotonin are all released into your bloodstream, making not only your body relax but also work to lower your heart rate and blood pressure. Endorphins are natural painkillers – 100% naturally produced by your own body. Read more here.

Neuronation.com

But there’s actually good reason to turn that frown upside down, corny as it sounds. Science has shown that the mere act of smiling can lift your mood, lower stress, boost your immune system and possibly even prolong your life. It’s a pretty backwards idea, isn’t it? Happiness is what makes us smile; how can the reverse also be true? Read more here.

NBC News

Smiling really can make people feel happier, according to a new article. Read more here.

Sciencedaily.com