Smilefeatured

Tomorrow is world smile day. I had no idea there was such a thing until I started creating my Instagram content for the month of October. Of course, being a lover of the smiley face, this caused me to google my curiosity. I started watching a recording of Harvey Ball, the creator of the smiley face, on the first world smile day and he shared what he desired in creating this yearly celebration. Smiles are contagious and everyone wants to see one given to them from another person. This begged the question for me, why? Why do people like seeing a smile from someone else, why is it such a big deal that we smile?

The Studies

According to SCL Health, “when you smile, your brain releases tiny molecules called neuropeptides to help fight off stress. Then other neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin and endorphins come into play too. The endorphins act as a mild pain reliever, whereas the serotonin is an antidepressant. One study even suggests that smiling can help us recover faster from stress and reduce our heart rate. In fact, it might even be worth your while to fake a smile and see where it gets you. There’s been some evidence that forcing a smile can still bring you a boost in your mood and happiness level.”

* “Science has shown that the mere act of smiling can lift your mood, lower stress, boost your immune system and possibly even prolong your life.”

* “When your able to laugh at life, your body muscles expand and contract, your blood circulation increases and your digestive system improves.”

* “A simple smile can trigger the release of neuropeptides that improve your neural communication”

Proverbs 17:22 that “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.”

With all the science behind smiling I feel like I understand why we live in a society where depression seems to be a natural thing that everyone deals with, suicide rates seem to be skyrocketing and people just seem down right angry. I don’t see people smile much any more. People seem to walk around with a permanent scowl on their face.

What would happen if we brought back the smile?

What would happen to our society if we took just a split second to smile at those we pass throughout our day, those we come in contact with at work, at school or even our family at home? What would happen to us if we gave a smile? Scientifically we would be less stressed. We would have healthier blood circulation, digestive system, heart rate… all-in-all we would be healthier people!

Challenge

I challenge you today to put this to the test. Do your own study as to the results of a smile, a cheerful heart. Take notice of what it does to you when you smile at that pain in the butt coworker or the cranky person that you come in contact with instead of frowning. God said it would be good like a medicine so take Him at His word!

Go tackle your day with a smile! God Bless you!

*NBC News
*Attitude is Everything – Keith Harrell
*Very Well Mind