Happiness may be subjective, but you don’t need achievements or relationships to feel it. The high brought by the goal you have attained only last for a while, and the body goes to a neutral state, waiting for the next achievement.
Happiness can make you smile, but smiling can create happiness. Take the easier and shorter version to lead a happy life, and smile. What other wonderful way is there to warm up a heart with a smile? Every time you smile, the brain sends neural messages to the body that will improve your mood and well-being.
It is easier to attain happiness when you surround yourself with positive people, places, and things. Still, it is better to learn how to attain happiness even if you are feeling stressed, anxious, and have other low vibrations. Smiling will instantly boost your mood.
How Does Smiling Affect Us?
Did you know a smile triggers neuropeptides, small molecules that enable communication between neurons? The neurons activate the release of certain hormones, including endorphins that act as a pain and stress reliever, dopamine, the hormone responsible for making us happy, and serotonin, the hormone that fights off depression.
Low levels of serotonin also cause agitation and aggression. Other benefits scientists have proven are improving your immune system, lowering your blood pressure, heart rate, and lifespan. Even if you happen to feel low; smile. Your brain likely can’t distinguish between a real and fake one.
Apart from undisputed scientific evidence on the effects of smiling, everyday people have come up to testify how smiling alters their thought pattern and emotions. Some people even have a routine: wake up and smile at a mirror or their partner. Others testify their smile keeps them energized through the day, and they hardly ever burn out.
Another piece of advice to keep you smiling is to do more things that make you happy. Go shopping for a cute pair of glasses online and treat yourself with other retail therapy purchases. Take a bike and ride towards the sunset, put on that onesie and do a re-run of your favorite show, snuggle up with that one book you can’t put down, soak in all the joy life has to offer.
People treat you differently when you smile. People find you attractive, dependable, laid back, and sincere. How about a fun experiment? Go for a walk smiling. See how many people look at you, how many smile back, and how your body, mood, and mind will feel after.
It’s Contagious
Smiles are infectious. When someone smiles at you, you are probably going to smile back. You smile back because of our mirror neurons in the cingulate cortex, an unconscious automatic response area. An infectious smile is a need for our brains to reciprocate behaviors that show empathy. Your brain likes to repeat actions that make you feel good.
A smile is not just a facial expression but a positive intention. It’s a manifestation of good vibes; spread the love. You might even be able to spread a smile to yourself because of how contagious it is if you’re feeling down or anxious, smiling at yourself when you are feeling low or anxious and noting the difference.
Practice It
Practice, practice makes perfect. You can practice smiles. It sounds crazy, but it’s true. Go to your mirror and smile. Smile with your eyes, not just your mouth. Your brain will tell you if you are doing a good job by simply making you feel relaxed and happier.
Smiling does not make you weak. Be comfortable expressing the smiling reflex. Picture yourself smiling throughout your day. Change the way you perceive smiling. It will manifest and perceive itself in reality. You smile at the world, and the world will smile right back at you. Women are more likely to smile than men due to social acceptability.
Smile from the heart. Think of a moment in time that completely melts your heart. Genuine smiles will evaluate your mood, and you will shine positivity in all other situations throughout the day.
Happiness is One Smile Away
You can’t control life, but you can control how you go through it. Wear that smile often, even if it is a sucky day. Eventually, you’ll feel the day starting to pick up. The world gets a little better when you smile. The smile might not be natural or real, but the effects are the same. Natural happiness may come from getting what you want, but generic happiness comes from chasing what you need. And that is to be happy.