4 Ways Smiling is Good for Your Health

Have you ever noticed that you gravitate toward people with a smile on their face? Whether it’s a room full of strangers at a networking event or a house full of family at the holidays, it’s likely that you prefer approaching the person with the friendliest look on their face first. Not only does smiling make you appear friendlier, but it’s also good for your overall health. Do you need to smile more often? Here are four good reasons why you should!

Smiling Releases Feel-Good Chemicals

Most people think if their brain feels happy, they will smile more—but it can actually work in the opposite direction as well! When we smile, it activates the feel-good chemicals of dopamine, serotonin, and energy-inducing endorphins. This tells our brain to be happier and fights stress as well as promotes relaxation. That’s right—even if we don’t feel particularly happy, the simple act of smiling can make us happy.

Smiling Improves Relationships

Did you know that smiling is infectious? Our brains are wired to mimic the expressions of others, which might explain why you feel depressed after hanging out with a friend going through a tough time. The expression you put on your face will have a significant impact on those around you. When you smile and appear friendly, you’ll be more likely to make new friends, put people at ease, and deepen the happiness of those you care about.

Smiling Makes Your More Confident

When you put a smile on your face as you walk into a job interview or other stressful situation, you not only appear more confident—you actually become more confident as well. Research has shown that a smile increases your ability to cope with a difficult situation, which can benefit your relationships, career, and every other aspect of your life. The next time you feel anxious, try putting on a smile and see how it transforms your outlook.

Smiling Makes Your Healthier

Smiling not only makes your happier and more confident, it actually makes you healthier as well! When you smile, your body produces more white blood cells that fight illness and infection. This strengthens our immune system and makes for less sick time and improved general health.

If smiling is so good for us, why do so many people avoid it? Unfortunately, many people don’t experience all the benefits of smiling because they are self-conscious about their appearance. Teeth crowding, gum problems, or damaged teeth can prevent the smiles that make us happier and healthier. If you are concerned about your teeth, please visit our website. We’d love to help you smile more often!