Want to know one habit that could instantly improve your mood and make you feel and look better? It’s smiling! Don’t believe me? Then take a look at the science behind smiling and some of its many benefits and see how something as simple as smiling more often could have a significant positive impact on your life.

Smiling Can Help Lift Your Mood and Keep You Feeling Positive

Although we may not always feel like smiling when we do, our body sends signals to the brain that we are feeling happy, even if the truth is not the case. When we smile, whether it’s genuine or not, our brains release neuropeptides and other natural mood-enhancing chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine. Along with these two chemicals, smiling also releases endorphins into the body. Endorphins are natural pain killers so not only does smiling trick our brains and bodies into feeling better, it can actually have long term benefits such as warding off depression and lowering stress levels too. Scientific research has also shown there is a correlation between smiling and lowering blood pressure, so not only can smiling help lift your mood, but it is right for your health too! What’s more, it’s almost impossible to maintain a smile while thinking negatively, so next time you are feeling down, try smiling even for a little and see if your mood improves.

Smiling Helps Those Around You Too

You may be familiar with the saying that smiling is infectious, but studies have shown that this is true. When we see that someone is smiling and happy, it makes us and others around us feel more content and happy, too, helping to spread a more positive outlook and atmosphere. Moreover, scientific research confirms that a genuine smile can make someone more attractive and encourage others to approach and engage with them. Indeed, while a smile can draw people in, a frown can push them away, so be sure to consider how you may be coming across the next time you are in a social or professional setting where you want to make a good impression.

Smiling Makes You Looks and Feel Younger and More Successful

Even if you are under stress, or feeling tired and worn out, a big smile can instantly refresh and brighten your face. The muscles we use in our front when we smile help to lift the skin upwards, giving a more youthful appearance and carefree attitude. Smiling is also linked to confidence. Studies have shown that those who smiled more at work came across better and were more engaging, making them top of the list when it came to getting promoted. Some people may not like how they look when they smile, or try and cover up a less than symmetrical grin. However, studies still show that no matter how aesthetically beautiful or not your smile may be, the positive effects are still the same. So next time you are going on a date or getting ready for a big presentation, don’t be afraid to let your guard down when it comes to flashing a beaming grin.

Tricks for Smiling More When You Don’t Feel Like It

Sometimes, we all feel down and the idea of painting on a smile feels like the last thing we want to be doing. Here are some tricks on how to smile on days when you may be feeling down.

1. Stay away from anything negative, whether it’s people, social media, or just the news in general! Instead, focus on watching a film or television show you always enjoy to make you relax and feel like smiling again.
2. Call your friends and family. Spend time with those people that make you feel your best and remind you that things will get better, even if they aren’t going so well at the moment and you will be smiling in no time.
3. Try starting a gratitude journal. Recording each day everything you have in your life that you appreciate can help to make you feel better and more inclined to find a reason to smile.

Although it is not always easy to remember to smile, there are so many positive benefits to your health and stress-levels that it is worth trying to tap into your inner positive energy and raise a smile more often. Remember, just seeing you smile may lift someone else’s spirits too, so smiling is not only a powerful gift to yourself but to everyone else around you also.