Wednesday January 16, 2013, 12:02 pm
(Photo Credit: Green Living Magazine)


New research has found a strong connection between smiling and general health.

According to Laurel House, the Quickie Chick and columnist on the Fitness and Healthy Food channel on Yahoo! Shine, smiling makes you stand out while helping your body to function better. Smiling boosts health, stress levels and self-improvement and is a fun way to live a happy and healthier life.

House shares her insight about the benefits of smiling:

1. Smiling Lifts Your Spirits

Even if you’re not feeling it…smile. The simple act of smiling, especially when you smile at someone else and they reflect that smile back at you, can trick your body and mind into thinking that you are actually happy.

2. Smiling is a Stress Reliever

When you smile you are physically releasing your jaw muscles, which tend to be tightened in times of stress. The jaw muscles attach to the neck muscles and, when tightened, can lead to headaches. You also look less stressed since you minimize those frown lines on your forehead. “I’ll take smile lines any day,” says House.

3. Smiling Boosts the Immune System

When you smile, your body naturally relaxes. When you are relaxed, your immune system is able to function optimally and can help fight off colds and flu.

4. Smiling Lowers Blood Pressure

When you relax your mind and your face by smiling, you actually lower your blood pressure. House recommends that you sit and enjoy the view, pet your pup, or do something that you enjoy…and smile for 5 minutes and you will notice a difference.

5. Smiling is a Natural Pain Killer

It’s been shown that smiling helps the body to naturally release endorphins and serotonin which work together to help us feel better and minimize the sensation of pain.

6. Smiling Makes You Look Younger

Smiling helps soften the lines and wrinkles on the forehead while adding youth to your eyes. Forget about getting a facelift and smile instead if you want to immediately shed years off your face.

7. Smiling Makes You Appear Confident & Successful

People who look confident and approachable are more likely to be promoted in business. So put on a smile at work – even (or especially) in a stressful meeting – and see how differently others respond to you.

House suggests you share the love. “You really won’t be able to help yourself. Smiling is contagious and the world always looks brighter from behind a smile,” she adds.

By: Laurel House | Green Living Magazine.com |

Wednesday January 16, 2013, 1:58 pm
Thanks Kit ~ shared : )

Wednesday January 16, 2013, 2:05 pm
:) for you Kit

Wednesday January 16, 2013, 2:46 pm

"When your smiling the whole world smiles at you." I thought we need a little relief from the intense news these days.

Wednesday January 16, 2013, 3:48 pm
Thanks Kit. A much needed reminder! Practiced in the mirror a bit, but I scared myself and the cats. LOL.

Wednesday January 16, 2013, 3:58 pm
So true Kit. The world will smile with you. I have hiked around the world and a smile is contagious in any culture I have experienced. You don't even need to have a common language - a smile speaks volumes.

Wednesday January 16, 2013, 4:00 pm
Thanks.

Wednesday January 16, 2013, 4:16 pm
notato KIt !!!!!! its for real!!!!! grazie for article!!!!!

Wednesday January 16, 2013, 4:28 pm
Thank-you Kit...smiles!

Wednesday January 16, 2013, 4:35 pm
thx

Wednesday January 16, 2013, 5:34 pm
Oh Kit such a super thread Its so true a smile is the best medicine it reaches out to so many people
Thank you for sharing

Wednesday January 16, 2013, 6:54 pm
Smiling is is the easiest way to improve your mood. I can't stand shopping, but I make myself smile when I go to the store. A lot of people actually smile back, which makes it even better. There are those that don't, but they forgot how to smile a long time ago. It's their loss, not yours.

Wednesday January 16, 2013, 6:58 pm
The world certainly can benefit from more smiles. :)

Wednesday January 16, 2013, 7:58 pm
I hope this encludes the smiles that are within people... as those that are visually spotable...I mean all the folks walking around with their faces filled with botox....if the smiles within don't count, those people are going to be nothing short of individual health nightmares in their very near futures.

Ok..all togother now... Smile ...[Flash !]...perfect ! :-) :-) :-) ;-) and many many more.

Wednesday January 16, 2013, 8:40 pm

Oh wait - Jae....I had my eyes closed! Still smilin'

Wednesday January 16, 2013, 8:44 pm

Now isn't this a happy thread! Smile and the world smiles with you. (unknown)

Smile; it the second best thing one can do with one’s lips. — Source Unknown

Smile, it’s free therapy. — Doug Horton

Wednesday January 16, 2013, 8:56 pm
Share your smile. It might make someones day a little nicer. Thank you.

Wednesday January 16, 2013, 9:25 pm
It's a gift that gives much and costs nothing and apparently also gives you a gift in return!

Thursday January 17, 2013, 12:10 am
This is a good reminder, Kit, and so true.

Thursday January 17, 2013, 3:18 am
7 good reasons to smile, but who needs an excuse when the positive effects are immediately seen and felt?
In our family, one of our favorite exercises is to watch people coming towards us on the sidewalk and smile especially widely at those who look downhearted and miserable. 9 times out of 10 you'll see them straighten their backs, lift up their heads and smile back in response. You can see you've made their day and that's worth a million dollars. :)

Thursday January 17, 2013, 6:13 am
Noted ))

Thursday January 17, 2013, 6:51 am
The easiest way to become happy is to act happy! Smiling is the first step.

Thursday January 17, 2013, 7:21 am
I wish I could smile like the Dalai Lama. It's so healthy. I know cats and dogs can smile, too.

Thursday January 17, 2013, 8:00 am

Thanks...

Thursday January 17, 2013, 8:12 am
Smile... It makes people wonder what you're up to. This is the perfect article for me right now. Thanks Miss Kit.

Thursday January 17, 2013, 1:22 pm
Thanks Kit--good idea.

Thursday January 17, 2013, 2:24 pm
Doesn't surprise me. Here's a smile for y'all. =D

Thursday January 17, 2013, 2:58 pm
thanks

Thursday January 17, 2013, 3:26 pm
:)

Thursday January 17, 2013, 6:16 pm
:) :) :) smiling and glad to be!!

Thursday January 17, 2013, 6:34 pm
I'm smiling now!
I love that quote about smiling being "the second best thing one can do with one's lips!"

Thursday January 17, 2013, 6:43 pm
Thanks Kit, love the title. Will this work with evil grins? ;-)~

Thursday January 17, 2013, 6:55 pm
Excuse me, I meant 'sh*t eating grins'. BTW, someone is sending me moose porn.

Thursday January 17, 2013, 7:04 pm

Oh no - Moose Porn? Shame on me! I couldn't help myself.

Thursday January 17, 2013, 7:08 pm
Hey Rocky!...watch me pull a rabbit outta my hat....

Thursday January 17, 2013, 7:12 pm
So true. I make eye contact often as I can, greeting folks and sometimes ask how they're doing, commenting on the weather, etc. Wonderful vibes.

Thursday January 17, 2013, 7:19 pm
No doubt about it....I gotta get a new hat.

Grey skies are gonna clear up... :-)

Thursday January 17, 2013, 7:25 pm

Put on a Happy Face!

Thursday January 17, 2013, 8:08 pm
Brush off the clouds and cheer up...

Thursday January 17, 2013, 8:34 pm

Oh no, you didn't!

Friday January 18, 2013, 12:04 am
thanks

Friday January 18, 2013, 2:58 am
and lo I am :) ling. Nice post

Friday January 18, 2013, 8:32 pm
:o) Thanks Kit..as many have noted, costs nothing yet can change the way someone feels in a heart beat.
“Peace begins with a smile..”
― Mother Teresa