Smiles are powerful gestures that can lift anyone’s spirits on a rough day. While you may instinctively know that smiling just makes people feel better, it is interesting to learn that there are some definite truths to smile psychology. Being confident enough to flash your pearly whites gives you these mental and physical health benefits that just make life better.
Reduce Stress
Life is often stressful, and you might already be feeling the effects of job or health-related stress. Smiling releases endorphins in your body that send signals to your brain that it is time to feel good. You can even achieve this effect by smiling to yourself for just a few seconds. It’s a simple mind trick that you can do anytime to elevate your mood. For even bigger results, add a laugh in there. Read a joke or share a funny story with a friend. You’ll begin to feel stress dissipate, and the effects of smiling can last all day.
Improve Your Heart Health
Yes, smiling is one of those things that you tend to do more when your heart is filled with love. However, your smile can also have a physical impact on your heart health by lowering your blood pressure and reducing your heart rate. This has a lot to do with the psychology behind how smiling alleviates stress. When you smile, your blood pressure goes down so that your cardiovascular system feels less strain. This is one of those areas where there truly does appear to be a mind and body connection that begins with keeping a positive mental attitude.
Reduce Pain
Dealing with severe or chronic pain might not make you feel like smiling much, but making yourself grin can help. Once again, this goes back to those lovely endorphins. Smiling makes your body feel like things are going well, and this means that you’ll feel less discomfort. If you struggle with facial pain that is related to tension, then you’ll be happy to know that smiling helps to keep your muscles more flexible. Smiling is the perfect antidote for jaw clenching that can lead to serious headaches and pain along your jawline.
Appear More Approachable and Friendlier
Smile psychology seems to build upon itself by helping you to develop a stronger network of friends and associates who help you to want to show your teeth even more. When you smile, people instantly perceive you to be more approachable and friendly. This, in turn, causes them to gravitate towards you. Since people who have strong social networks tend to be happier, you’ll feel like smiling even more.
North View Dental understands how important it is to love your smile, and our team works hard to make sure that you are comfortable during your visits. You can give our office a call anytime with your questions or to schedule an appointment that makes you want to show the world your smile.
