As the temperatures drop and days stay dark for longer, we may find it tough to smile on a regular basis. Smiling may be the last thing on your mind at the end of a stressful day, but turning that frown upside down has many health benefits. Next time you’re feeling down, remember these facts to help boost your mood and health!
Smiling fights off stress.
When you flash your pearly whites, your brain releases tiny molecules called neuropeptides to help fight off stress. Endorphins come into play as well and act as a mild pain reliever. Smiling can help you recover faster from stress and reduce your heart rate.
Smiling is catching.
If you’re around happy and smiley people, chances are, you’re happy and smiley, too. Smiling is contagious, and if you’re in a good mood, you’ll likely be able to share that with the people around you.
Smiling boosts your immune system.
As mentioned earlier, smiling can decrease your stress levels, which in turn increases white blood cell count. White blood cells release beneficial antibodies that help fight infection and disease.
Smiling pays off at work.
People that smile more at work are more likely to be promoted than those who don’t. This is because smiling conveys a message of happiness, approachability and confidence, all key pieces that bosses might be looking for.
Smiling can help you live longer.
Who doesn’t want to live a little longer? Maintaining a happy, positive mood may be an important part of living a healthy lifestyle, and smiling is at the forefront of that. Research suggests that happiness could increase lifespan by years and that intense smiling is associated with this outcome.
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