Have you ever thought about how smiling affects your life? Several years ago I read how smiling releases endorphins, natural painkillers, and serotonin. Together, these make us feel good. At the time I decided to do an experiment at work. I began to smile at everyone and I have to say their reactions made me laugh, there were frowns, raised eyebrows and lots of head shaking. Quite honestly I think people were very nervous at being smiled at by a stranger. It was very obvious they were really uncomfortable.

But you know the smiling did make me feel good. And amongst all the negative responses there were lots of returned smiles. I then found,  if I was feeling stressed and I pretended I was happy, by smiling (not so easy when you are in a bad mood) that my mood lightened and I processed the situation differently. It took about  ten minutes to feel happpy. It’s not easy to do a pretend smile for ten minutes!:-)

I also realised if you pass someone in the street and they smile at you, it automatically makes you feel better. I agree 100% that smiling actually tricks the body into feeling positive. Find something to smile about, for instance, think of all the photographs we smile about on Facebook – we love them. So, next time when you’re feeling low try a pretend smile and see if it helps. Also if you are talking to a negative person,  just smile and see how it changes everything.  It’s great fun….

Below I have listed the – Top 10 Reasons to Smile – by Mark Stibich, PH.D. from  www.about.com

1. Smiling Makes Us Attractive
We are drawn to people who smile. There is an attraction factor. We want to know a smiling person and figure out what is so good. Frowns, scowls and grimaces all push people away — but a smile draws them in (avoid these smile aging habits to keep your smile looking great).

2. Smiling Changes Our Mood
Next time you are feeling down, try putting on a smile. There’s a good chance you mood will change for the better. Smiling can trick the body into helping you change your mood.
3. Smiling Is Contagious
When someone is smiling they lighten up the room, change the moods of others, and make things happier. A smiling person brings happiness with them. Smile lots and you will draw people to you.

 4. Smiling Relieves Stress
Stress can really show up in our faces. Smiling helps to prevent us from looking tired, worn down, and overwhelmed. When you are stressed, take time to put on a smile. The stress should be reduced and you’ll be better able to take action.
5. Smiling Boosts Your Immune System
Smiling helps the immune system to work better. When you smile, immune function improves possibly because you are more relaxed. Prevent the flu and colds by smiling.
6. Smiling Lowers Your Blood Pressure
When you smile, there is a measurable reduction in your blood pressure. Give it a try if you have a blood pressure monitor at home. Sit for a few minutes, take a reading. Then smile for a minute and take another reading while still smiling. Do you notice a difference?
7. Smiling Releases Endorphins, Natural Pain Killers and Serotonin
Studies have shown that smiling releases endorphins, natural pain killers, and serotonin. Together these three make us feel good. Smiling is a natural drug.
8. Smiling Lifts the Face and Makes You Look Younger  (I like this one!!)
The muscles we use to smile lift the face, making a person appear younger. Don’t go for a face lift, just try smiling your way through the day — you’ll look younger and feel better.
9. Smiling Makes You Seem Successful
Smiling people appear more confident, are more likely to be promoted, and more likely to be approached. Put on a smile at meetings and appointments and people will react to you differently.
10. Smiling Helps You Stay Positive
Try this test: Smile. Now try to think of something negative without losing the smile. It’s hard. When we smile our body is sending the rest of us a message that “Life is Good!” Stay away from depression, stress and worry by smiling.