A smile is one of the most beautiful features you can have. It can come before a hearty laugh from hearing a joke or watching a funny video, or when hearing a compliment someone gives you. You can even make someone else’s day better just by smiling when passing them on the sidewalk. But did you know that smiling also has many health benefits? Numerous studies have shown that smiling and laughter can have a significant effect on your mental and physical well-being.
Here is a list of several benefits that smiling can have in your life:
Mental benefits
Improve happiness and positivity
One of the main benefits of smiling is how it can improve your mood. Smiling helps to produce serotonin and dopamine in the brain, which are neurotransmitters that regulate happiness and well-being. These neurotransmitters also contribute to many other important physiological processes such as cognition, memory, and motivation.
Reduce stress and anxiety
Smiling when you’re stressed or feeling anxious isn’t always easy, but a 2012 study at the University of Kansas suggests that smiling can promote positive psychological effects when under duress. When placed under stressful situations, some participants in the study were instructed to smile, while others weren’t instructed at all. Whether or not they were instructed to do so, the participants who smiled during these situations were shown to have lower heart rates than those who did not.
Improve relationships
Smiling can also have a subtle psychological effect on the way people perceive you. According to a 2013 study, attractiveness is “strongly influenced” by smiling and emotional expression. Other studies show that smiling makes you more likable and that smiling really is contagious; you can really have a great effect on any unease or awkwardness simply by smiling. If you ever feel anxious or uncomfortable during a social setting, just crack a smile and see how it can change the mood of the room.
Physical benefits
Reduce blood pressure
Smiles and laughter affect blood pressure and heart rate. A good laugh leads to an immediate increase in heart rate and oxygen consumption, quickly followed by decreased heart rate, lower blood pressure, and muscle relaxation, which can help reduce your risk of developing heart disease.
Strengthen the immune system
Smiling and laughing can also help to give your immune system a boost. Some studies have suggested that laughter (which often comes with smiles) may raise the level of antibodies and immune cells in the body, which help to fight infections and illnesses.
Relieve pain
Smiles and laughs have been shown to release endorphins, neurotransmitters that not only improve your mood but can actually help reduce aches and pains. They are also released in the body during exercise, creating what’s called a “runner’s high”. Endorphins are the body’s “feel-good” chemical, and releasing this chemical more-or-less lets the body produce its natural painkillers.
Smiling can have an incredible effect on your life. Having a great smile will make you even more likely to whenever you get the chance. If you want to get started working towards having a great smile, Johnson & Collins Orthodontics can help achieve the smile of your dreams. Our team believes that when you feel confident about your smile, you can always make a good impression. We can work with you to understand the options you have and to choose an orthodontic treatment plan that fits your lifestyle.
Schedule a free consultation with our team in Southlake or Bedford, Texas, today! Read more on our blog.