Today (March 20th) is the International Day of Happiness! Although we may not realize it, being happy affects our physical health – not just mental health – in a great way. And though happiness is more than just smiles, we want to dig into the actual physical effects of smiling and what it can do for the body!
Smiling Releases Endorphins – When you smile, your brain releases chemicals called neurotransmitters, like dopamine, serotonin and endorphins – which help boost your mood in a variety of ways. Endorphins act as a mild pain reliever, while serotonin is an antidepressant, and dopamine is considered the happiness drug. In total, smiling is a natural ‘painkiller’ that helps boost our mood, relax us and reduce physical pain.
Decreases Stress & Boosts Immunity – Smiling can reduce stress. We typically only smile when we are in a good mood, but when you are stressed, even faking a smile releases endorphins, helping to improve your mood. Your immune function also improves when you smile because you are more relaxed and less stressed. Stress does a lot to the physical body as well as your mental health, so in general, smiling and feeling happy reduces stress and then in turn helps your immune system.
Smiling & the Workplace – Smiling regularly helps you appear more confident. You have a higher chance of being approached and being promoted at work if you smile often. A study showed that “human happiness has large and positive causal effects on productivity. Positive emotions appear to invigorate human beings, while negative emotions have the opposite effect." Smiling can help you be a more creative and effective worker.
Live a longer life – One study found that genuine smiling is associated with living longer. (see article here https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0956797610363775)
Research shows that happiness could increase lifespan by years—suggesting maintaining a happy, positive mood may be an important part of a healthy lifestyle. That’s a pretty big deal.
If you’re reading this and are happy with your smile constantly, that’s amazing, keep on smiling! But many people who aren’t happy with their teeth, tend to hide their smile. We don’t realize how much this impacts our overall happiness and wellness. Prioritizing oral health is extremely important. At Sunshine City Dentistry with Dr. Moccia, we can help you get back to smiling again! Keeping your oral health in great shape will keep you happier and healthier for years to come.
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