by Ian D Scofield

Did you know that smiling is actually really good for you? Smiling does more than communicate that you are happy. Doctors and researchers around the world have studied the positive effects of laughing and what they can do for you.

In today’s article, we are going to explore some of the reasons you should smile more. Even if you aren’t happy.

Making You Happier, One Smile At A Time

Different actions that you take throughout your day cause responses in your body. Smiling isn’t exempt from that. When you smile, it isn’t just a sign that you are happy, you are making yourself happier.  Every time you smile your brain gets a message that it should release certain chemicals in the brain. The chemicals that are triggered all help to make you happier and fight stress at the same time.

It Doesn’t Have To Be A Real Smile

Not every smile needs to come from hearing good news, seeing a pleasant sight, or from some other positive interaction. It turns out that you can get the enhanced happiness and the benefits you will read about below, from making yourself smile. Just the action of smiling effects you in a positive way.

Smiles Burn Calories

Would you be surprised to learn that smiling burns calories? Depending on the research that you read, smiling can burn anywhere between 2 and 10 calories. Laughter, on the other hand, can burn up to 40 calories.

You won’t burn enough calories to be considered a workout but those that smile more will definitely have a better facial appearance.

Don’t worry, smiles go beyond weight loss. The better facial appearance isn’t only from the calorie burn. The act of smiling releases tension at the cellular level. A simple smile will release the built-up tension and cause you to “loosen up.”

Become A Creative With Smiling

It shouldn’t be too hard to believe that those who are happier tend to be better at creating things. They put their passion into the things that they create. The mood boost that you get from smiling has been shown to help your creativity. Researchers at the University of California found that happier people had a better approach when it came to problem-solving. It is believed that the neurotransmitter dopamine is the culprit behind this. Dopamine also helps with learning and decision making.

A Smile Makes You Easier To Trust

As much as we like to say that we don’t judge people, we tend to build up an impression of people within the first few seconds that we see them. Before we even begin to interact with them. Someone who smiles is much easier for us to trust as we see them being a positive person with an approachable attitude.

On the reverse end, someone who doesn’t smile is going to stick out too. You aren’t going to want to be around that person and it will be harder to trust them.

Smiling is Contagious

The popular phrase that smiling is contagious is more than just a gimmick. It is reality. Studies have shown that when one person smiles, it engages positive receptors in other’s brains. So if you smile a lot you will be passing it on to those around you. Helping make the world a happier place, if not a better place.

Smiling is more than just a sign that you are happy. It is a way to better your life and body. Those who smile more tend to live longer lives. So set an internal reminder to smile more often. Especially when you are feeling down. It will not only change your day, it will change your life.

Throughout my time writing, I have written multiple articles on the benefits of smiling. I believe that smiling is truly an important part of life. Those who smile truly do live better lives. All of my past articles went into making this one in addition to new information from reading around the internet.

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