It might seem crazy to you but smiling does not only make the recipient of your smile feel better, it also has a number of health benefits. Yet, 81% are worried about how their teeth look and 28% of people refuse to smile in pictures because they feel conscious about their teeth.
Saving Faces, a cosmetic dentistry office in Liverpool, helps people to smile again through a range of different treatments. Dental implants in Liverpool are just one of the cosmetic options offered to patients who are suffering from missing or crooked teeth and according to research, it’s not just their confidence that improves through their new-found smile.
Smiling has a wide range of health benefits and if you need a reason or two to smile more often, this blog post is for you.
7 reasons to smile: The benefits of smiling
Smiling reduces stress & blood pressure
Smiling activates the release of neuropeptides and allows your neurons to communicate and release dopamine, endorphins and serotonin – your body’s very own feel-good chemicals that don’t only help you feel less stressed but also reduce your heart rate and blood pressure.
A smile is your body’s very own painkiller
You might not feel like smiling when you’re in pain, but research suggests that a smile can be just as effective as over the counter pain relief. So if you’re suffering from period pains, have a headache or feel under the weather watch a funny movie or have a giggle with your besties.
Smiling can lift your mood
Smiling cannot only make those around you feel better, it also releases serotonin, a chemical used in anti-depressants and mood lifters that helps you feel more positive and upbeat. Of course, I understand that you might not feel like smiling when you’re feeling anxious or depressed, but give it a try and maybe a fake smile becomes a genuine one.
Smiles increase concentration
Ever wondered why memes and cute animal pics are so popular in email chains between co-workers? Apparently, they make people smile and feel more motivated and thus, increase productivity and concentration. Now, where was that pic of Grumpy Cat again?
Laughter is the best medicine
At least that’s what a German idiom proclaims, but if you believe research a smile could really improve your immune system and general health. Negative thoughts can cause chemical reactions that decrease your immunity, whereas a good belly laugh can release neuropeptides that are real little miracle workers when it comes to protecting your immune system against nasty little invaders.
Smile and live longer
We’ve established that smiling is quite the powerful tool when it comes to your health, so it only makes sense that all these benefits accumulate to a longer life, right? A 2010-study claims that those who smile in photos have a happier life and live three years longer than those who don’t. I guess it’s worth trying!
Workout for your face
Smiling is a fab workout for your face. A set of smile exercises developed by Gibson is said to lessen the vertical lines of the face, fight double chins and prevent ageing grooves in the lower part of the face while also improving blood flow and complexion.
I mean, if looking younger while getting older and being happier and healthier hasn’t convinced you to smile more often, I don’t know what will but, please, know that an imperfect smile is always better than none, so keep smiling!
What makes you smile?
This is a collaborative post
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