Smiling is one of the most natural facial expressions we possess. So natural in fact that many of us don’t even consciously realize when we do it. Research has shown that babies and toddlers smile up to a staggering 400 times a day, whereas adults fall much further behind at just a mere 20 which strongly suggests we could all benefit from smiling more!
In fact, you may be surprised to know that flashing your smile has significant psychological and biological effects, likely to improve your life in ways you never thought possible. To discover the real scientific and psychological truth behind smiling, and how you can use those pearly whites to your advantage, below you’ll find everything you need to know.
Reduces stress and anxiety whilst increasing overall happiness
It’s no secret that modern life is often stressful. Shockingly, 47% of Americans worry about stress, with a huge 77% regularly experiencing physical symptoms. This can lead to anxiety and other serious stress-induced health issues. With most people turning to a doctor or psychiatrist to alleviate these problems, a short-term solution could simply be this: smiling more!
It may sound far-fetched, but research has statistically shown that the mere expression of genuine smiling releases endorphins throughout the brain – these are also referred to as ‘happy hormones’. As the name would suggest, these endorphins really do cause feelings of positivity and happiness skyrocket throughout the brain which, in turn, significantly contribute to the alleviation of stress.
Helps build stronger personal and working relationships
Smiling (unless fake and forced) is universally known to demonstrate happiness and positivity. It therefore makes perfect sense that by smiling and being friendly, you’re a lot more likely to get along with people and form stronger relationships both on a personal and working level.
In fact, research has strongly suggested that increased smiling in the workplace boosts productivity, and improves individual performance and overall morale for everyone involved. But in contrast, studies have also shown that people who rarely smile tend to have more difficulty bonding with new people, forming relationships, and handling social situations.
However, not wanting to openly smile is very common, especially among those who are ashamed of their teeth. Having misshapen or discolored teeth has been widely shown to cause a dramatic drop in confidence and self-esteem, leaving some never wanting to smile at all. Obviously if you need serious dental treatment you’ll need to see a professional dentist, but if discoloration is your main issue there’s a huge selection of successful home teeth whitening kits you can try. Take some time to find out more about a highly effective, inexpensive kit you can use at home to achieve professional-looking white results.
The immense benefits associated with smiling are surprisingly unknown for the majority of people, so hopefully you’ve now gained a real insight into how valuable your smile really is. And even if you suffer from low self-esteem about your teeth and smile, there are some simple yet extremely effective methods you can try from the comfort of your own home!
Georgina Hammond has a psychology degree and takes great care in making sure she is mentally, physically and emotionally A-OK! She is a Mom who writes about health and wellness matters in her spare time.
