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The Power of the Smile

“We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do.”              
– Mother Terresa

It’s true, smiling effects you, and it effects those who see it. But first, let’s focus on how it effects the one smiling. Smiling causes the release of neuropeptides, dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin (Riggio, 2012). This means a smile can tell your body you are happy and to relax. 

There has been research to show that smiling helps you recover from stress faster (Peterson, 2012). Granted a genuine smile is better, but a faked one will help too. 

Practice

• Smile as big as possible for 60 seconds. Take a deep breath and assess. 
• Put a pencile, pen, chopstick (or whatever) between your teeth. This forces a “smile”. 

While it may feel silly it actually works. There have been many scientific studies done on smiling and stress reduction and stress recovery. 

Other benefits to smiling is that it is contagious. A smiling person is seen as “attractive, reliable, relaxed and sincere ("Smile more," n.d.).” Smile and pass the good feelings along. 

References

Peterson, C. (2012). Smiling and stress. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-good-life/201209/smiling-and-stress

Riggio, R. E. (2012). June 25. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/cutting-edge-leadership/201206/there-s-magic-in-your-smile

Why you need to smile more. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.neuronation.com/science/benefits-of-smiling