Smile AM: No matter the situation, smiling can instantly lift your mood, generate empathy, or calm a racing heartbeat. But not any smile - only genuine ones which make the corners of your eyes wrinkle with crow's feet (known as the Duchenne smile).
Researchers from MIT have discovered that even fake smiles can help lower
stress levels and aid recovery faster from exhausting tasks than people who
maintain neutral expressions.
Smile AM: Uniting Hearts and Bridging Divides
A Smile AM or laugh puts people in an upbeat mood and makes you appear more
approachable and trustworthy, not to mention being an extremely effective
social tool that can help create new friends or strengthen existing ones.
Studies show that sharing smiles and laughter with those around can even boost
personal and professional success!
One of the key benefits of smiling is its contagious quality. When someone
smiles at you, your brain chemistry changes to make you happier too - this
process is known as socialization - where another's emotions influence our own
feelings and behavior in milliseconds - although its impact can quickly be reversed
should someone become unhappy or stressed.
As soon as we witness other people smiling, it
encourages us to emulate them; it feels natural. Therefore, people who smile
often are likely to have more close friends and stronger relationships compared
to those who rarely or never smile.
Smiling is an expression of our affection and care for others, while
simultaneously serving as an effective form of nonverbal communication that is
universally understood and shared among people of different cultures, ages,
socioeconomic standings, or backgrounds.
No wonder children smile more than adults - on average they do so on an
average daily basis between 400-450 times as opposed to 40-50 for even the
happiest adults. Like other superpowers, smiles can be developed and harnessed
for greater benefit so it's worthwhile practicing regularly to hone them and
use them to our advantage.
Studies show that just 30 seconds of smiling can have the same beneficial
effects as an intense exercise session. Smiling may even be more effective
because frowning involves more muscles than smiling; so try these Smile
Challenges at home or work to exercise those smile muscles and create a more
positive daily outlook:
Spreading Joy: The Magic of Smiling
At times it only takes one smile to disarm even the strongest adversaries or
ease the fears of an anxious child, never underestimate its power! Smiling has
been proven to bring joy to people and animals alike; heal wounds, ease pain,
and make friends out of strangers; it even changes our brains! One reason
smiling has such an effective and beneficial impact can be found in its effects
on neuron pathways within our own bodies.
As we smile, our brains engage a reward mechanism like chocolate's; this
explains why children tend to be much happier than adults and laugh more in 24
hours than average adults do; on average they only laugh or smile about 20
times daily.
Smiles can be both natural and intentional responses to things that bring us
happiness or inspiration, as well as conscious choices we make. Intentionally
smiling can send signals to the brain indicating positive intentions,
trustworthiness, belongingness, compassion, and social connections with other
people when we smile at them - they then reciprocate by reciprocating with
their own smiles!
Studies indicate that those who smile more frequently are seen as more
competent, sociable, healthy, and attractive than those who do not. Studies
also demonstrate that people who frequently smile are more likely to achieve
success in their career and marriage relationships; high school yearbook photos
have even allowed scientists to predict future success and happiness using
smile width. Furthermore, baseball players official cards showed those who
smile more often lived longer lives.
An easy and enjoyable way to spread happiness in your community is by
smiling more frequently. Begin by smiling at loved ones before spreading it
outward. Give a friendly wave or wave back when someone smiles at you; when
someone new smiles back be sure to catch their eye so they see your genuine one
too! When someone notices, respond with an equal and genuine grin so they see
how happy you truly are!
From Strangers to Friends: Smile AM Connects
No matter, if it's to make new friends or build business relationships,
smiling, is an invaluable way to communicate. Smiling projects positive
emotions like happiness and friendliness that make people more approachable;
even if you're feeling nervous or anxious, smiling helps reduce these feelings
and facilitates conversation.
Practice will make perfect when it comes to social situations requiring
smiling. A genuine smile may take some time, but remembering its meaning will
come naturally over time. Think back on joyful memories or humorous events for
inspiration when choosing an emotive memory that elicits genuine smiles; avoid
thinking too deeply into sad or bittersweet memories as these might dampen it
down and produce subdued expressions instead.
Different smiles express different emotions, for instance a wistful one can
help show when we feel confused between feelings of happiness and sorrow - it
will show through an averted gaze, slight frowning and upturned mouth corner.
Researchers can gain an understanding of various kinds of smiles by
examining photographs taken of yourself and others. Forced or posed smiles
often cause tension in the face and less eye squinting; conversely, candid
shots capture more genuine and relaxed body language with upturned mouth
corners and upturned nose corners.
For an authentic smile, practice by looking in the mirror or taking selfies
when your most natural smile appears. Additionally, recall happy memories or
imagine laughing together with a friend while practicing your smile - make sure
to squint your eyes slightly and activate the muscles near the temples to
create an upward movement of them as well.
Although SMILES isn't technically a relational database, it still contains
much of the same information. One key difference is its unique vocabulary of
atom and bond symbols for representing structures. This makes SMILES
particularly effective for representing reactions; however, it could also be
used for representing other types of data.
Universal Language: Smiles Foster Connection
Smiles are an invaluable way to build connections, both personally and
online. Studies show that those who smile often with genuine enthusiasm tend to
experience greater success in relationships, career advancement, and overall
well-being. Furthermore, smiles help us appear more approachable and
trustworthy - which increases their likelihood of coming for help if they need
it.
As we smile at others, they may reciprocate by smiling back - this can
create lasting bonds that support both emotional and physical well-being.
Additionally, smiling can boost immune function by stimulating endorphin
release - similar to when we exercise or run and experience "runner's
high."
Studies conducted by Dr. Harry Witchel demonstrated that our smiles may
actually come from social engagement rather than inner happiness or
contentment; participants in his study who interacted with a computer were more
likely to smile than those simply watching it; this type of operant
conditioning relies on our evolutionary biology in order to signal social
connection.
Simply Smiles Children's Village opened for business on the Cheyenne River
Sioux Reservation in LaPlant in 2018 and has already made an impactful
statement about Native children who need foster care placements. Offering
family-based foster homes as well as culturally sensitive parenting practices
to keep Lakota children connected to their culture while simultaneously
preparing them for a reunion with biological families, it provides children a
home away from home while keeping Lakota traditions alive while preparing them
for a reunion.
MarShondria Adams and other foster parents in the village report seeing
positive changes in children after they bring them home from foster care
placements. The program has drawn significant interest from tribal officials
and Indigenous leaders nationwide who are looking for ways to improve outcomes
for their own foster care children.
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