What Difference a Smile Can Make!

What Difference a Smile Can Make!

Let’s rewind a few years… during my preschool teaching days besides my regular curriculum, I would teach children how to smile and embrace the day in order to keep their tears away. I would sing this melodious song they all could relate to:

A smile is such a funny thing
It wrinkles up your face,
And when it’s gone, you’ll never find
Its secret hiding place.
But far more wonderful it is
To see what smiles can do,
You smile at one, she smiles at you
And so one smile makes two.

Each year I would get a new batch of toddlers. The initial months would be tough, getting to know their names, habits, and making them follow the new classroom routine. And smiling would definitely get the kids warm up to me and make them feel more comfortable in the new setup.  This was my secret smiling game. This simple game was helpful from the start.  Opening your heart and being compassionate to kids as part of my job.

So that’s just one of the superpowers of a it. If you smile at someone the person smiles back at you. It’s an instant mood changer. Smile uplifts the value of your face. That curve is a fabulous way of establishing a mutual feeling of being on the same level as the opposite person. When we smile, we release endorphins – the chemical that is triggered by that special curve of your face, which is responsible for making us feel happy and lower stress levels.

Smiling,  besides releasing happy endorphins benefits the body in many ways:

Smiling gets you in a good mood

First and foremost, when does one smile more often? This takes place when you are in a good mood. So the next time you feel low, try smiling while reminiscing a happy moment. Smiling can trick your body into elevating the mood.

Smiling can make you look younger

I would keep smiling even if it had no benefits. It just makes me feel young at heart and happy doing the chores of the day. But it is a proven fact that smiling makes you feel and look younger. Reports and studies show a frowning face is perceived as looking older than a smiling face.

A Smile shows the connection

Even though you don’t understand the language the opposite person speaks, but smiling can lower stress levels and instantly make a connection.  Connecting with someone happens as soon as you share a sincere smile.  In fact, smiling is often contagious, and it causes others to respond in the same way.

A Smile relieves stress

Every time you smile, you release the feel-good neurotransmitters that help your body to relax and lowers stress. It also lowers heart rate and blood pressure. These neurotransmitters; endorphins act as a natural pain reliever, and the serotonin lifts your mood. With a smile and focusing on positive thoughts, you can aid your body to better manage whatever the world will throw at you. People around you will be able to immediately see the difference.

Did you know these lesser known facts about Smiles

1.  Babies have the ability to smile in their sleep

2. A smile is more contagious than flu

3. Women smile more than men

4. A smile reduces blood pressure

5. Smiling helps you live a longer life

6. Smiling is an exercise for those facial muscles

7. An average female smiles 62 times a day 

8. Couples who smile more often are likely to have healthier relationship

9. Smiling can make you look a lot younger than your actual age

10. Smiling is the first step in getting your job done

What are your thoughts on smiling? Do you agree with what I wrote in my blog post? Making one person smile can change the world; maybe not the whole world, but definitely their world.

I am also taking my blog to the next level with Blogchatter ‘s #MyFriendAlexa. This is my previous post – on effective ways to detox your mind and body.

This post is a part of My Friend Alexa Season 5 with Blogchatter