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Health and Wellness

8 Reasons To Smile More Everyday

The world's most powerful gesture.

Marisa Cubing

Dec 19, 2016

San Diego State University

Sketchport.com

Take two minutes to think about this: how often do you smile a day? Do you smile when you see your friends or meet new people? Did you know that your face has 44 muscles in it that allow you to make more than 5,000 different types of expressions? It is very easy to focus on the negatives in life instead of the positives. A simple gesture such as a smile can not only brighten other peoples’ day, but yours as well. Here are 8 reasons why you should smile more every day.

1. Smiling reduces stress, anxiety & depression.

Research shows that when recovering from a stressful situation, study participants who were smiling had significantly lower heart rates than those with a neutral face expression. So, the next time you’re feeling stressed, calm yourself down by smiling.

2. Smiling releases endorphins.

It is amazing how facial expressions have the ability to not only communicate our current mood, but also influence our mood as well. Smiling sends a message to your brain signaling that you are happy. When you are happy, your body release endorphins, AKA chemicals that trigger a positive feeling in the body.

3. Smiling makes you appear to be more approachable, confident and attractive.

Whether you are in a professional or casual setting, smiling people come across as more likable and friendly. For instance, in the restaurant industry, smiling employees impact their customers is a more positive way, and the customers leave interactions feeling more satisfied their overall experience.

4. Smiling lengthens our lives.

According to a 2010 Wayne State University research project that examined baseball card photos of Major League players in 1952, the span of a player’s smile could actually predict the span of his life. Players who didn’t smile in their pictures lived an average of only 72.9 years, while players with beaming smiles lived an average of 79.9 years.

5. Smiling improves your immune system.

This may seem crazy, but smiling even makes your immune system stronger. When you smile, your body produces white blood cells to help fight illnesses in your body. Amazing.

6. Smiling is a universal means of communication.

In essence, a smile is one of the most basic expressions of all humans. Some basic emotions communicated through facial expressions are recognizable by most cultural groups, and a smile is one of them.

7. It's contagious!

No matter what, smile at strangers, pets, colleagues and friends. Smile because it is very difficult to frown when looking at some who smiles. We also have a subconscious innate drive to smile when we see one. Who knows, they just might smile back at you.

8. Smiles are free.

As a college student, I understand that we are all on a budget. I also know that college students love free things. With that being said, it is important to note that smiling it costs $0. That’s right, its f-r-e-e free!

In all, the more we train our brain to think positively, the easier it is to shut out negativity, and, in turn, boost your productivity and creativity, which allows you to perform better at work and life. If you smile often enough, you end up rewiring your brain to make positive patterns more often than it does make negative ones.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Recommended for you

8 Reasons To Smile More Everyday

The world's most powerful gesture.

1. Smiling reduces stress, anxiety & depression.

2. Smiling releases endorphins.

3. Smiling makes you appear to be more approachable, confident and attractive.

4. Smiling lengthens our lives.

5. Smiling improves your immune system.

6. Smiling is a universal means of communication.

7. It's contagious!

8. Smiles are free.

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"I'm hopeless and awkward and desperate for love"

1. That Time He Tested Out His Flirting Skills and This Happened

2. When He Was Willing to Do Anything to Avoid Confrontation

3. When He Couldn't Handle Awkward, Emotional Situations

4. How He Reacted Whenever His Friends Ignored Him

5. All of the Times He Worried About His Failing Love Life

6. Whenever He Tried to Whip Himself Into Shape

7. How He Handled New People and New Experiences

8. Whenever His Friends Got Annoying, He Was Always the Voice of Reason

9. He Always Knew How to Jam

10. He Finds a Way to Make Any Situation More Fun

No, I can't help you.

1. When a customer wants to return a product, hands you the receipt, where is printed "ALL SALES ARE FINAL" in all caps.

2. Just because you might be having a bad day, and you're in a crappy mood, doesn't make it okay for you to yell at me or be rude to me. I'm a person with feelings, just like you.

3. People refusing to be put on hold when a customer is standing right in front of you. Oh, how I wish I could just hang up on you!

4. Having the same conversations over and over again! To be honest I really don't even want to talk to you right now, or have this fake ass smile on my face!

5. Always having to have a smile on your face. I promise I'm not as happy as I may look!

6. Customers not understanding that sometimes, mistakes happen. I am a human being, we all mess up sometimes!

7. Having the boss from hell, it's their way or the highway! Even though I did my job correctly and efficiently, if I don't do it the exact way you do, I'm a piece of shit.

8. Having coworker who don't help out, who bend the rules just enough to screw you over.

9. Having to be at work after closing because a customer is taking forever and half! Not like I'd like to go home or anything!

10. Having shitty hours and more shifts than you asked for. Just because we don't have enough workers, doesn't mean I want to pick up every shift that you cant cover, oh great boss of mine!

11. Not having time for a social life. It gets old saying, "I can't I have work..." Every day of the week!

12. Having that lazy costumer who can't do anything for themselves... no please I'll get that, it's no problem at all!

It's just my face, I swear.

1. When you meet new people, they automatically assume you hate them or are rude.

2. People are constantly asking you if you're OK.

3. After being friends with someone for a while, they confess to you, "I thought you were so mean when I first met you," or, "I thought you hated me."

4. You get told to smile more, but they don't understand how scary that would be.

5. You're always labeled as seeming "judgy."

6. Passing a friend with your RBF in full force and not realizing you just shot them a death glare.

7. Being sarcastic, but everyone thinks you're outright rude.

8. Not knowing how mean you really look until you see a picture of yourself in resting face.

9. Your apologies never sound sincere because of your emotionless face.

10. Your "mad face" scares you.

11. And, lastly, people are constantly asking you if you are happy or having a good time because you look bored to death.

Please hold your blonde joke.

1. "Is Elle Woods your spirit animal?"

2. "Is that your natural hair color?"

3. "Oh wow, you get good grades at school?"

4. "You must really like the color pink!"

5. "You’re probably not into sports, right?"

6. "You must have such a bubbly personality."

7. "Your wardrobe must consist of all things preppy."

8. "What sorority are you in?"

9. "You were probably a cheerleader in high school."

10. "You look like you’re from L.A. because your hair is so light."

11. "You definitely like Pumpkin Spiced Lattes from Starbucks!"

12. "Do you actually think blondes have more fun?"

13. "You must encompass the typical “white girl” stereotype."

14. "Is that daddy’s credit card you’re using?"

15. "So all of your friends are blonde too?"

16. "I’m surprised about you; I thought you would be a lot ditsier."

The world's greatest university meets the world's greatest show.

1. When you get your acceptance letter

2. When you try to figure out how class enrollment works

3. When it’s move in day

4. When you arrive on campus and see all of the attractive people

5. FROG Week

6. When you find your squad

7. When you visit DHall (RIP) or EHall for the first time

8. When you take on way too many credits

9. When you go to your first party at JMU

10. When the rival school shows up for the homecoming game (or any game really)

11. Sunday Brunch

12. When you see the infamous “preacher” for the first time

13. The first snow day

14. Madipalooza

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