Photo courtesy of Nanagyei-off on Holiday
Janice Taylor, reminds us why smiling is so beneficial:
The health benefits of smiling are plentiful.
Smiling…
- increases the production of endorphins, natural pain killers and serotonin, a hormone that regulates your mood;
- boosts your immune system and increases the number and activity of antibodies that fight infection;
- lowers your blood pressure;
- helps you to relax;
- relieves stress;
- enhances respiratory function;
- exercises 15-26 facial muscles;
- makes you look younger as it lifts the face; and
- fires up various parts of the brain!
More fabulous facts about smiling that are sure to make you smile.
10. 72% of people think that those who smile frequently are confident and successful.
11. 86% of people are more likely to talk to strangers if they are smiling.
12. Bosses are 12% more likely to promote people who smile a lot.
13. Research shows that 65% of communication is non-verbal (some say even higher).
14. Studies show that happiness is a by-product of smiling, not that those who are happy smile as most people assume.
My kids and I used to do this
trick when they were little and got whiny and cranky. "I'm bored!" they'd say. "Are you whining? What a wimpy excuse for a whine. THIS is a whine! 'OH NO I HAVE TO THE LAUNDRY NOW! YUCK!'" We'd compete to out-whine
each other. It never failed to end in giggles. The whining? Gone, like magic. All that was left were smiles.
"In ancient China, the Taoists taught that a
constant inner smile, a smile to oneself, insured health, happiness and
longevity. Why? Smiling to yourself is like basking in love: you become
your own best friend. Living with an inner smile is to live in harmony
with yourself." -Mantak Chia via Janice Taylor, Our Lady of Weight Loss
