Do you know that age-old saying “Smile and the whole world smiles with you”? Well, it’s true, smiles are contagious. If you want to lift your own spirits and those around you, just smile. Never underestimate the power of a healthy smile.
Every time we smile, authentically or not, the muscle movements release endorphins (think of them as nature’s little “happy drug”) that make us feel happy and increases our self-esteem. In addition to endorphins, behavioral psychologist Sarah Stevenson says that when you smile, serotonin is also released, which acts as a natural anti-depressant and mood lifter; talk about a mental boost!
A healthy smile also conveys a sense of likability, competency, and politeness to those around you, which might just be the shortcut to success that is needed in business and in life, in general.
What if we said you also look younger when you smile, would you smile more? When you smile, those muscles around your mouth, cheeks, jowls, neck, really your whole face, provide a mini face-lift. Go ahead and take a second to smile. Do you feel how your whole faces lift up? Much cheaper than a visit to a plastic surgeon for sure.
A study at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) even found that when people had sad faces flashed in front of them, those subjects were perceived as weighing more. Possibly indicating that person is weighed down by unhappiness? So smiling may give the appearance of lightness and being thinner.
When you practice good oral hygiene, including daily brushing and flossing, you feel good about your mouth, and you will naturally want to show it off to the rest of the world. A smile a day really does keep negative self-esteem away and makes you more approachable to those around you. Smiles radiate confidence, and who can resist that? Being perceived as trustworthy, intelligent, and sociable can all be extracted from a simple smile.
Not only does smiling impact how you feel, but it lifts up those around you as well, and that in itself is a big confidence boost. When you make others more comfortable, they are more apt to hold conversations with you and connect with you even more.
If you are unhappy with your smile, you may be experiencing less happiness and missing out on developing important relationships with others.
Don’t wait to get the smile of your dreams. Create yours through routine dental visits, like teeth cleanings twice a year, practicing good oral hygiene, and keeping that smile happy and healthy!