Smile: It’s Good for Your Health

There are so many reasons why taking care of your teeth is important for your overall health. But, what if we told you that your smile can also affect your overall mood?

When you smile, you get a big boost of self-confidence as well as some other physical and mental benefits. Here’s a list of some of the benefits of cracking that smile and caving into some much needed laugh-attacks:

Improved mood and increased relaxation

You’ve likely heard the phrase, “Fake it until you make it.” It applies to so many situations, and smiling or laughing when you’re in a bad mood is one of them. Faking it can actually help improve your mood. The simple act of smiling or letting out a giggle is enough to trick your brain into feeling happier. Laughing actually stimulates circulation and helps your muscles relax. So, the next time you’re upset or angry, try smiling or laughing. This can even be a long-term coping strategy for when you’re in a bad mood.

You become more approachable

Smiling and laughing will not only help you feel better, but you’ll also signal that you’re a good person to be around. People don’t want to be around others who are in a bad mood, which can put you in an even worse mood. The more you engage and interact with others, the happier you’ll be, which is a cycle worth getting into.

You’re more productive

But the more you can smile and laugh, the more productive you’ll be. When you smile and laugh, you improve your mood and are better able to focus on the task at hand. The more productive you are, the happier you’ll be and vice versa.

Physical health benefits

Smiling and laughing can also improve your physical state of being. Laughing works your abdominal muscles and releases endorphins, which can alleviate pain and boost your immune system. Studies have even shown that smiling and laughing help decrease your risk for heart disease because they actually prevent the buildup of fat and cholesterol.Smiling and laughing also help to keep your blood pressure at healthy levels. These actions can lower your blood pressure and maintain this lower level for up to 24 hours.

Smiling and laughing just makes you feel good, so putting all of the scientific research aside, we should all strive to spend time doing things that make us feel happy. And, that begins with a smile.