BENEFITS OF SMILING: 8 UNBELIEVABLE REASONS TO SMILE MORE

Smiling is one of the best things you can do for your health and well-being because it can boost your immune system and make you feel better. We want to help you enjoy all the benefits smiling offers by helping you achieve the smile of your dreams. Check out the other benefits of smiling and get started on the road to a happier, healthier life.

Mental Health Benefits of Smiling

The next time you're feeling down, push yourself to smile. It might feel weird, but it can help! Smiling releases endorphins, natural mood boosters, and reduces stress.

Smiling also helps you appear more approachable and trustworthy, making people more likely to want to help you if you're struggling. So next time you're feeling low, don't be afraid to give smiling a try. It is the boost you need to turn your day around.

Smiling Boosts Your Mood

Have you ever noticed that you feel happier when you smile? When you smile, you send a message to your brain that says, "Things are good." And when your brain gets that message, it releases endorphins, natural feel-good chemicals that make you happy.

You can also do many other things to boost your mood. Spend time with friends and family, do something you enjoy, or help someone else. You might be surprised how good you feel when you make someone else smile.

Smiling Is Contagious…In a Good Way!

Smiling is a way of lighting up a room and making everyone feel welcome. Smiling is contagious, so when we see someone else smiling, it's hard not to mirror their expression. It's the universal language of kindness.

Look Younger and More Attractive

Smiling is one of the most important facial expressions and can make you look younger. When you smile, the muscles in your face contract and release, which helps to tone your facial muscles. It also helps to improve your complexion by increasing blood flow to your face.

Do you feel like you don't look your best? Try putting on a smile. A smile can brighten your face and make you feel more confident and approachable. And people are attracted to those that look happy and inviting.

Good for Your Relationships

Smiling is a form of nonverbal communication that can communicate positive feelings and intentions toward others. When you smile at someone, you communicate that you like them, appreciate them, and are happy to see them. This positive feedback loop often makes the other person feel good, leading to a stronger relationship.

Physical Health Benefits of Smiling

Smiling is a great way not only to stay positive but also to stay healthy. Studies show that Smiling has often lowered someone's chances of getting sick. Here are some of the physical health benefits of smiling.

Smiling Lowers Your Stress Levels

There's no doubt that life is demanding. When juggling work, family, and social obligations, anyone can feel overwhelmed. Your stress levels increase cortisol production and heart disease. A good laugh and smile are a workout for your heart.

There is also a release in the face and jaw tension which instantly makes you feel more at ease. It's a signal to your brain that everything is okay. As you start to feel better, you'll find that your smile becomes more natural. Before long, you'll be feeling much better. The world will seem brighter and more manageable. And all because you took the time to smile.

Smiling Boosts your Immune System

Smiling can help boost your immune system. When you smile, the muscles in your face send signals to the brain that can help release immune-boosting hormones. Our body also produces more infection-fighting antibodies and improves T-cell function, thus protecting you from getting sick. So next time you're feeling down or under the weather, try cracking a smile. It might help you feel better and prevent you from getting sick!

 Relieves Pain

The Smile Theory suggests that endorphins are natural painkillers. Endorphins are released when you smile, improving your mood, and resulting in further pain reduction. When you smile, you take a little shot of feel-good medicine. 

There's some scientific evidence to support the Smile Theory. Harvard Health mentioned that people who smiled while receiving painful electrical shocks experienced less pain than those who didn't smile.

Improve Your Cardiovascular Health

When you smile, the muscles in your face contract and help increase blood flow to the brain, helping improve cardiovascular health by lowering blood pressure. According to a study published in the journal Psychophysiology, people who smiled more had lower heart rates during stressful tasks than those who didn't smile. 

Does it Take More Muscles to Frown or Smile?

Is it true that it requires more muscles to frown than to smile? It is a common belief that frowning requires more muscles than smiling. However, there is more to consider.

There are 43 muscles involved in a frown and 17 in a smile; however, the muscles involved in smiling are much more significant. All those big muscles have to work together to create the perfect smile. So, smiling takes a lot more effort than frowning.

Try a Smile Challenge

Harvey Ball, who developed the iconic yellow smiley image, created World Smile Day. The holiday is every year on the first Friday of October. Try one of the fun smile challenges below at home or work to flex your smile muscles more often.

• Social Media Smile Collage–Create a smile collage and post it on social media–including your favorite smile, a picture of smiling with friends, and a picture of an activity or place that makes you smile.

• Post-It-Note Challenge–Gather 10-20 sticky notes and write the people, places, or things that make you smile. Put the notes in place you’ll see every morning to start your day.

• Waiting Challenge–Catch yourself in a moment where you are waiting–whether in traffic or at the grocery store. Stop and smile. See if others smile back.

• 19 Challenge–Did you know scientists have calculated 19 types of smiles? How many do you have? Take pictures of your unique smile and capture those of friends, colleagues, and family members.

The Importance of a Smile

The importance of a smile cannot be understated – not only is it essential for social interaction, but it can also have a profound impact on your mental and physical health. So the next time you're feeling down, stressed out, or need a quick mood boost, try smiling – even if you don't feel like it at first. You may be surprised by how good it makes you feel!

Are you self-conscious about your smile? Learn about our cosmetic dental services and how TCCD can help you get the smile of your dreams you've always wanted. Contact our office for a consultation.