This post was written by Heather Doolittle, NP-C, PPG – Family Medicine and Primary Care.
Writer William Arthur Ward said, "A warm smile is the universal language of kindness." And most believe this to be true. Have you ever noticed when someone smiles at you, your automatic reaction is to smile back? When someone smiles at us, our brain response is to mirror that behavior. This leads some scientists to believe smiling is driven less by inner cheerfulness and instead by a social cue. Either way, the research shows the benefits of smiling are plentiful.
Mental and physical health benefits
Smiling has many health benefits such as boosting your mood, stress relief and increased longevity. A grin not only releases endorphins, but also the hormones dopamine and serotonin. Endorphins are chemicals in the brain that block the perception of pain and increase feelings of well-being. Dopamine and serotonin signal to your body that you are happy, in turn causing you to feel happier. This combination of endorphins, dopamine and serotonin can reduce depression, anxiety and pain, and improve self-esteem. So, smile to boost health and life satisfaction.
The physical benefits of smiling are impressive. Nearly one out of two adults in America have high blood pressure. Smiling and laughing have been shown to decrease systolic blood pressure. Additionally, people who smile more have been shown to develop fewer infections and illness compared to others.
Manufacturing happiness
What if you aren’t feeling happy? Fake it till you make it! When you activate the muscles in your face used to smile, you experience the emotions that go with that action. Simulating happiness in yourself may really increase positive emotions, like happiness, in your life. The benefits of a grin are undeniable!
So many smiles!
There are different types of smiles that mean different things. For example …
An affiliation smile is a close-lipped smile meant to be polite and reassuring.
A dominance smile is close-lipped and slanted like a smirk.
The most beneficial smile, the reward smile, is called the Duchenne Smile. The Duchenne Smile is a full smile that reaches the crinkles in your eyelids. This grin is named after the French scientist and neurologist Guillaume Duchenne, who studied laughter and smiling in the 1800s. He found that two facial muscles are engaged during smiling, the zygomatic major, which controls the corners of our mouths, and the orbicularis oculi, which controls the area around our eyes. The Duchenne Smile engages the mouth and eyes, and is associated with real happiness and pain relief.
Pass it on!
Smiling is contagious! When you smile, you are not only improving your health, but also the well-being of those around you. Give grins generously and spread the benefits.
