I visited Dr. Google and entered the search term, "physiological effects of a smile". The lead "best answer" reads,
"Each time you smile, you throw a little feel-good party in your brain. The act of smiling activates neural messaging that benefits your health and happiness... The feel-good neurotransmitters - dopamine, endorphins and serotonin - are all released when a smile flashes across your face as well...". Citation: "There's Magic in Your Smile - How Smiling Affects Your Brain"; http://bit.ly/2mEtrtq.
Google suggested other related searches to include: "how smiling affects those around you", "why smiling is contagious", and, "science of smiling".
There are thousands upon thousands of studies and posts attesting to the emotional and health benefits of smiling.
One Big Mistake
One mistake we could make is concluding all smiles are equal. If we "fake it until we make it" we're shortchanging our selves and those we talk with.
While you may get some benefits with a "fake it" approach, you won't maximize the emotional and health enhancing improvements waiting for you when you make true genuine smiling a part of your daily routine.
But what if I don't feel like smiling? What if I can't think of a thing to smile about?
Yes, adversity can hijack the best of positive intentions. Bad things happen. But there is a bigger truth that extends beyond the challenges of the day:
There is ALWAYS something to smile about.
If you're alive; if you're breathing; if you have food, water, and shelter, you have reasons to smile.
Here's how to create a true, genuine smile on demand. Before you know it, smiling will be second nature.How to Create a Genuine Smile
Allow a relaxing breath and bring to mind an image, a memory of a special person, pet, or situation that creates positive feelings. Examples could include, holding an infant, walking on the beach, interacting with a pet, or simply enjoying time with someone special.
- Bring that memory to mind and make it big, bold, and bright.
- While experiencing that memory, allow your attention drift to your body. Feel the positive sensations; really connect with those good vibrations. Where are they in your body? Allow the felt senses to expand.
- As you're recalling that memory and feeling the sensations that memory creates, notice you're smiling. Let that smile grow bigger.
- Stay with those beautiful feelings and that joyful smile for 20 to 30 seconds or even longer.
Guess what? You have changed your body, brain, and mind for the better. Do this before talking to others and notice they too will smile. Smiles are contagious! You're a carrier of one of the most beneficial viruses on our planet.
Try this smile creation protocol before your next telephone call, business meeting, or conversation with a friend or significant other. It takes only two or three seconds. As you practice, it will take only a millisecond to change your mood and mind.
Remember, your positive energy and lovely smile is the gift that keeps on giving.
My Creating Smiles Experience
One of my podcasts is, "Make the World a Better Place". In the episode linked below, I share my unscientific experiment to see if I could help others to smile, more studies about the positive power of smiling, and how advice I received more than 50 years ago about selling with smile changed my life forever.
Click the player below to listen. It's only a few minutes, but I have no doubt you'll find something to smile about!
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Click here to listen to the podcast episode if you don't see a player:
https://anchor.fm/make-the-world-a-better-place/episodes/Want-More-Happiness--The-Secret-is-In-Your-Smile-e1rps7/a-a4gd11
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Click here to listen to the podcast episode if you don't see a player:
https://anchor.fm/make-the-world-a-better-place/episodes/Want-More-Happiness--The-Secret-is-In-Your-Smile-e1rps7/a-a4gd11
Blessings,
Steve Carter
Stress Solutions, LLC | www.EFT-MD.com |
