Smiling reduces stress, boosts your mood, increases joy, relaxes you, and allows you to connect with humanity. M. Smith
Inspiration for this piece came from a massive and incredible transformation I lived.
I dedicate this to any of you who have felt helpless, hopeless, or stuck and wanted to
give up. With God’s grace, I learned to cultivate seeds of hope. Nothing pleases me
more than leaving a legacy of hope and joy and the world a little better than l found it.
Now my mission and passion are to share what has helped me here, and you will
discover the importance of using something that costs nothing but is a priceless God-given gift.
Have you ever thought about how much power a simple smile holds? God made you
equipped with a powerful gift. It may seem like a small and trivial gesture, but its
effects are far-reaching and profound. A genuine smile can lift your spirits, ease your
worries, and improve your health. How can you not want to smile often?
As you already explored briefly, smiling triggers the release of feel-good hormones
like endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin. I call it the happy juice.
In medical school, I did learn that these chemicals work together to create a sense of happiness and relaxation, effectively reducing stress and anxiety levels in your body. Some studies have shown that smiling can lower blood pressure and boost your immune system,
making you less susceptible to illness. No wonder laughter is the best Medicine and is
free.
But the most significant benefit of smiling is its contagious nature. I know from my
experiences of almost 64 years that they are contagious. As humans, you naturally
mimic the expressions and moods of those around you, especially if it makes you
happy. So, when I see someone smiling or laughing, l can’t help but feel my heart
uplifted. This sensation creates a positive feedback loop, and the next thing that
shows up is an epidemic of joy and smiles.
Spreading Joy, Kindness, and Positive Transformation
Almost when you share, you start giggling with delight, and humor comes and pays a visit. Then your smile causes all that happy message to spread, creating a ripple effect of joy and positivity. The world could certainly use a transformation, a pandemic of smiles, so why not spread some good? Good is always victorious in God’s time, but you and l must work on being authentic examples of light and truth.
It’s no wonder smiling is often called the universal language of kindness. I learned
this from moving forty-nine times in my life and other cultures simultaneously. No
matter where you come from or what language you speak, a smile is universally
understood, welcomed, and accepted as a sign of warmth and friendliness.
I know that People who smile more frequently l have perceived as more approachable,
trustworthy, and attractive. So, not only does smiling make you feel good, but it also
has the power to improve your social and professional relationships. Imagine that my
friend? You also contain that power. Use it.
How Smiling Can Transform Your Life and Influence Others
Now, I know what you might be thinking. “But what if I don’t wanna be smiling?”
Well, that’s where the power of practice comes in. Maybe you don’t know how to or
feel no reason to smile. I once didn’t know how to when l was severely depressed.
Smiling more often, in my case, required some effort and dedication. It Started by
consciously smiling at myself in the mirror each morning, and wild as it was, l began
laughing at my silliness, but those endorphins must have kicked in.
It caused me to make it a goal to smile at one stranger each day. I dared myself, haha, and it felt awesome to conquer the fear of being a fool. With no regrets and I started to be less self conscious. People feel more connected and open when someone shows them kindness, even just a simple smile. So, if you’re feeling up for it, go ahead and try it out – who knows, you might make someone’s day a little brighter! Over time, these small actions became a habit. Now, I find myself smiling more easily and naturally. Who knew? The chemicals secreted into my body cause me sometimes to be inebriated with that Happy Juice.
And if you’re still feeling hesitant, think about how much joy and positivity you’ll be
spreading by simply sharing your smile with others. Whether in a grocery store, at
work, or walking down the street, a smile can make someone’s day a little brighter.
And who knows – maybe they’ll pass that smile onto someone else, creating a chain
reaction of happiness and kindness. You got this God-given power; don’t waste it, my
friend.
The Path to Wellness, Connection, and Positive Change
By the way, if you can’t stick with trying to smile at yourself more often? Not to
worry, you can always find recourses out there. One recommendation is laughter yoga.
Laughter yoga is a great way to boost your health and well-being! It combines
elements of breathing techniques with playful laughter exercises. This combination
can lower stress hormones, reduce anxiety and depression, increase endorphins, and
promote joy and happiness. Plus, laughter yoga improves blood circulation, stimulates
the immune system, and reduces tension and fatigue. And it’s great for social
connection – the more people join you in the laughter, the better! So, try it and reap
the many benefits of laughter and smiling.
Smiling and laughter can be great medicine for the soul because they can lift moods
and increase your happiness and positivity. When you smile and laugh, your brain
releases chemicals that can provide a sense of well-being and reduce stress. Also, sharing
laughter can help you form deeper connections and create community. So,
incorporating more smiles and laughter into your life can be a powerful way to
nurture your soul and promote emotional wellness. You will undoubtedly feel less
tension from the daily challenges of life.
In conclusion, if you are smiling, you use that powerful tool to improve your wellbeing. You can positively impact those around you. Practicing and incorporating more
smiles into your daily lives can create a more joyful and connected world. So go ahead,
try it – start smiling more often. You and l can change the world!
Martie M. Smith
Award-Winning Author (Visit Website)
Cary, NC USA
