Laughter is the best medicine – we often hear this saying, but did you know there is also a lot of scientific research to support this as well? At Smile Denture and Implant Clinic, we know that the smile is of the utmost importance not only to one’s appearance but to overall health and well-being.
In fact, one of the easiest and cheapest ways to boost your health, your mood, your longevity, and even your success is to smile! What is more, smiles do a lot more than simply let the world know you’re happy. Here are five scientific benefits of smiling:
You are more attractive when you smile.
Did you know that smiling makes you appear more attractive, reliable, relaxed, and sincere? This happens even though nothing may have changed in your appearance. Have you ever met a person who made an impression on you just because of their smile? Scientists have found that smile is indeed the best accessory! We appear happier, younger and even more beautiful when smiling. Seeing a smiling face activates the orbitofrontal cortex, the region of your brain that process sensory rewards. This suggests that your brain feels rewarded when you see a smile. And you look more attractive to others who also benefit from your contagious smile! In fact, just imagine a child giving you a big, genuine smile and all the overwhelming joy.
Smiling reduces stress.
A genuine or even a forced smile during stressful times can help reduce stress. One experiment showed that students’ elevated heart rates returned to normal much faster when they were told to smile. Science has shown that the act of smiling reduces cortisol levels and can even help you remember better. Smiling can naturally lead to laughter and help decrease stress hormones and increase immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies. This, in turn, helps improve your resistance to disease, and most diseases start with stress. What is more, laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.
Smiling elevates your mood.
Smiling can provide you with an instant mood lift! But there is science to it because neurochemicals and peptides are released, putting a smile on your face can trick your body into raising your mood. Dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin raise your spirits and calm your nervous system. All while reducing levels of cortisol which is the main culprit of stress.
Smiling is contagious.
Smiling not only has the power to elevate your mood, but it can lift the moods of the people around you. Our brains automatically and subconsciously mimic the facial expressions of others in an attempt to understand them and respond appropriately. When you see a facial expression, you recreate that expression in your brain to understand it. It takes conscious effort not to smile back at someone who smiles at you. Don’t take my word for it – go ahead and try it for yourself.
Smiling boosts your immune system.
Laughing can also strengthen your overall health. Next time when you think of getting your prescription pills, think of giving yourself a laughter prescription as well! The act of smiling and laughing boosts your immune system because you’re more relaxed, with less stress. One study even found that smiling helps your body produce white blood cells to fight illness. Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals.
Science has also examined therapeutic efficacy of laughter in medicine. Unsurprisingly, virtually all studies of laughter and health indicate positive results. Similarly, there are almost no negative side effects or undesirable ramifications associated with laughter.
So go ahead, make laughing your daily habit! At Smile Denture and Implant Clinic we care about your smile and can help you have the confidence of a beautiful smile. We can help you get personalized and perfectly fitting dentures or denture implants if your smile needs an upgrade. For a complimentary, free denture consultation give us a call at 613.262.6332. Our friendly denturist will be happy to assist you with choosing the right treatment plan and best denture for you! By checking out our posts and website, you can learn more about Dentures or Awesome Benefits of Denture Implants.
