10 Reasons to Smile More Often!

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Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

Have you every heard the quip “It takes more muscles to frown than smile”? It seems truth is behind this statement, and there are many other benefits that accompany the resolution to smile more than just an attractive face.

From a longer life span to increased odds of making more friends, 10 of many reasons to smile more follow:

1. Boosts Your Immune System

It has been shown that smiling helps the immune system work better because one is more relaxed; in result, sick days are reduced and the common cold is prevented.

2. More Attractive than Makeup

In a recent study, it was shown that 69% of people find women more attractive when they smile compared to when they wear makeup.

3. Makes One More Memorable

It’s psychology: you are three times more likely to remember the person that is smiling over the one that is wearing a negative or neutral expression.

4. Makes New Friends

In a poll, 86% of individuals admitted they are more likely to strike up conversation with a stranger when they are smiling. A light happiness surrounds those that smile, and apparently can boost one’s odds of making new friends!

5. Improves the way People Perceive You

Those individuals that smile are reportedly perceives as more confident and successful by 72% of people who took a survey.

6. Fake it Until You Make It

Even if it’s tough to smile, ‘fake smiling’ for 20 seconds per day (seven days per week) will create a neural pathway in your brain. If done 21 consecutive days in a row, that ‘fake smile’ will eventually be hardwired in your brain and turn into a genuine smile!

7. Promotes Ahimsa (non-violence)

Science have discovered that smiling reduces aggressiveness in both the giver and the receiver. By choosing to smile, one can easily communicate non-violence.

8. Live 9 Years Longer

Because smiling has been shown to boost the immune system, reduce blood pressure, release endorphins, and act as a natural pain reliever, it has incredible potential to extend one’s life.

According to one source, this small act could extend one’s life by 9 years! That’s a lot of extra time to smile!

9. Relieves Stress & Pain

Smiling stimulates your body to release the endorphins seratonin, dopamine, and morphine. The neurotransmitter seratonin reduces fear and worry, dopamine squashes negative emotions, and morphine is an incredible pain killer. With these cycling through your blood stream, it’s hard to be stressed!

10. Anti-Aging!

Everyone is seeking the latest anti-aging fad, but smiling is the gift of looking younger you already have! Instead of getting a face lift, one just has to smile more often! Instead of depressing frown lines into your face, age with grace and allow the vibrancy of a smile and a healthy glow to share your wiser years.

Smiling is a natural, positive face to display, and is one that will allow you to experience better health, a longer life, and a happier disposition!

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