Why smiling can change your life??

Surprise, surprise, it’s scientifically proven that the simple act of smiling is good for us and those around us. “Tell me something I didn’t know”, I hear you say.

Just take a second to watch this...

Wonderful!

Did you know that smiling is in fact a form of primitive signalling that originates from the basic human need to communicate? Moreover, apparently the act of smiling has evolved over the past 30 million years and originates from a "fear grin" amongst monkeys and apes. That explains a lot about politicians grinning inanely in the media spotlight ??.

This morning I tried an experiment. I looked at my disheveled face in the mirror and forced a smile. I know this sounds weird but that contorted rictus grin actually turned into a fit of monkey-like giggles.

Suitably inspired, I shuffled off to my laptop and Googled “smile”. Here’s what I discovered:

??1. Smiling is nature’s gift to us

Smiling produces a chemical reaction in our brains. It triggers the release of dopamine, leading to an immediate uplift in our mood. It also provokes the release of that “happy hormone”, serotonin.

??2. Smiling makes us more alert and focused

Smiling’s dopamine “sugar rush” not only elevates mood but it also improves our blood flow, thereby delivering more oxygen upstairs to our brain.

??3. Smiling reduces stress

Sounds obvious, I know, but there is a neurological explanation for this. When we smile, our brains open the serotonin sluice gates. This helps reduce stress. Phew!

??4. Smiling boosts our immune system

Yep, no need to rush to the local chemists. Simply make a habit of curling upwards the corners of your mouth and not only will it bring out the inner chimp in you, but it will increase the ability of your body to ward off disease. Chimptastic, or what?!

??5. Smiling is a free facelift

Forget Botox, lip fillers and plastic surgery, there’s an instantly accessible beauty treatment at your disposal, SMILE! The direct link between smiling and our emotions means that smiling automatically makes us feel happier. Obvious, I know, but worth doing more often, don’t you think?

??6. Smiling is contagious

You know that phenomenon when you yawn and the person you are talking to (am I really that boring?) cracks out a yawn too? Well, the same thing happens when you smile (as long as you don’t have KFC remnants dangling from your teeth). This is down to the natural human tendency to empathise and subconsciously mimic. Check it out, give it a go!

??7. Smiling can be a conscious choice

If we deliberately smile we can trick our brain into thinking we are happy.

??8. Smiling reduces pain

No need to always reach for the Ibuprofen; grab a smile instead as scientists have established that smiling releases endorphins, our very own DIY painkillers!

??9. Smiling makes us look more attractive

We are naturally attracted to people with a smile. We are, therefore, more predisposed to not only reciprocate with a smile of our own but to be more open and communicative.

??10. Smiling: a mind-altering drug

No, not magic mushrooms but the infectiously uplifting mood state of The Smile. Smiling has been proven to help improve our psychological health by creating an electric charge which resets the mental battery from negative to positive. Great for kicking anxiety and depression in the teeth.

So, there you have it, Si’s Smiles Top Ten Tips ????????????????????

Remember, smiling is…

??Free of charge

??Legal (!)

??A natural anti-depressant

??A life hack

??If ever you are in need of a lift, simply Dial a Smile!