How can smiling benefit your health

Smile, its free therapy! Let us list down the multiple benefits of Smiling: Smiling is very good for your health You tend to think of a smile as a result of positive emotions or stimuli, but it turns out that your smile can actually affect your stress levels and productivity, too. Smiling also releases endorphins, which improves your mood, helps you relax, and lowers your blood pressure. Smile more to get that high without running. Smiling is so contagious, the benefits of your smile extend beyond your own body to the people you engage with.

It turns out that the frown upside down makes up for lost time. Studies have shown people who smile are viewed by others as more attractive, reliable, relaxed, and even far more sincere.

Seeing a smiling face activates the orbit frontal cortex, the region of your brain that processes sensory rewards. This in turn suggests that your brain feels rewarded when you see a smile. Improves your heart health The release of endorphins through smiling increases blood flow.

Smiling has been associated with an increased HDL the good cholesterol levels in the body. Smiling also lowers the stress hormones cortisol, adrenaline and norepinephrine. Thus, smiling and laughing more can improve overall heart health for sure! Maintains your blood pressure Neuropeptides are essentially required by the nerve cells for communication. These neuropeptides are responsible for the release of the happy chemical messengers neurotransmitters of the brain like dopamine, endorphins and serotonin.

Whenever you smile these neurotransmitters are released in the body which not only relaxes the body but also helps manage your heart rate and blood pressure. Gives a boost to your immune system Smiling and laughing initiates the release of serotonin in the body which increases the sense of happiness and well-being in the body. Serotonin also helps boost the immune system as it stimulates monocytes and lymphocytes which are types of white blood cells that fight against infections in the body and also regulates the release of cytokines chemical messengers of the immune system.

Smiling tends to improve your relationships People find you more attractive when you smile. Studies show that different areas of the brain light up when looking at pictures of people who are smiling versus who are not smiling.

People who are smiling to any degree are generally labelled more attractive and women are considered more trustworthy than those with neutral expressions. Smiling improves effectiveness in the workplace The benefits of smiling extend beyond interpersonal relationships to even the work environment. Smiling at your co-workers creates moments of connection that lead to greater productivity and teamwork.

People in the service industry prove to have a more positive effect on customers when they smile. People in leadership positions tend to favour their employees who smile more regularly.

Smiling boosts your activity Not only can smiling make you feel happier and more positive, but it can also help you become far more productive. Prefer to speak to us directly? Call Why Smiling Is Good for You.

Smiling can lengthen your life One study 6 from Wayne State University suggests those who genuinely smile more often lived five to seven years longer than those who did not. Smiling makes you more likable Want to seem more competent, likable, and friendly? She is currently working on launching her own podcast and loves baby foxes. Related Articles. What can you do to stay healthy? Access convenient, high-quality care right from the comfort of your own home.

Important Links Notices. Other Links. Contact Us. Disclaimer SelectHealth may link to other websites for your convenience. Decrease Stress. Laughter has several health benefits including lowering stress hormones and reducing physical tension throughout your body. It can also help lower your blood pressure which is good for your heart health. Try listening to a funny podcast on your morning commute or during an evening walk.

Finding something or someone funny not only improves your mood but laughter also relaxes your muscles by increasing your blood circulation. So the more you laugh, the more you will feel calm and stress-free! Strengthen Immune System. That good feeling when you smile or laugh triggers a chemical reaction in your brain, which releases small proteins called neuropeptides.