Throughout the world, there is one gesture that every person recognizes as a sign of happiness and friendship: the smile.
Smiles are incredibly simple acts, but they carry a lot of meaning. Since smiles are so intriguing, they have been studied by science to figure out how and why they have such a huge impact on people. When it comes to the science of a smile, not only does it express your happiness, but it can make you happy as well.
What Happens When You Smile
Smiling is a universal human expression that we all use to express emotions and feelings. Smiling comes naturally to us, but there’s more going on behind the scenes than you might realize.
There is a lot to the science of smiling. The muscles involved in smiling are controlled by different parts of the brain than those used for frowning or other negative facial expressions. This allows us to have greater control over our smiles than any other facial expression, which makes them unique and more powerful than any other form of communication.
What does a smile do for you? When we smile, it makes us feel good and triggers positive thoughts about ourselves and others around us. It signals to your brain that you are happy, which encourages it to release hormones, including endorphins, serotonin and dopamine, that increase your good feelings. Each of these hormones provide your body with different feelings. Endorphins are responsible for feelings of positivity that run through your system, serotonin is responsible for regulating your mood and dopamine is responsible for motivating you to continue doing rewarding behaviors such as a smiling. By having all of these hormones running through your body, it lifts your mood and helps you relax.
Have you ever wondered to yourself, why do we smile when we are happy? It’s pretty simple actually. Due to the hormones running through your body, there is a feedback loop of good vibes that can either make you happy or make you smile. In essence, this means that you smile because you feel good, and when you feel good, you smile more. Smiles are so powerful, just seeing another person smile can cause your brain to release your feel-good hormones. This then causes you to smile too! When that happens, more hormones are released, and you get a boost to your mood because of it.
A genuine smile shared with another person can make someone else smile, feel better about themselves, and feel better about their situation — even if it’s just for a moment! Smiling also affects how others see us, because people will typically associate smiling with positive emotions like happiness or contentment.
This phenomenon doesn’t just apply to humans. Dogs also respond positively when their owners smile at them; this further confirms what we already know about how important it is for humans to smile as much as possible! It’s amazing to see how smiling affects others, including dogs.
Regarding the science of a smile, it has also been found that you can "fake it till you make it." That means that if you aren't feeling particularly happy at any given moment, smiling even a little can cause your brain to release the feel-good hormones that will circulate throughout your entire body. It won't take long before you are feeling truly happier and have a genuine smile on your face.
Overcoming Fears of Smiling
It has been proven time and time again that smiling is good for your health. It can lower blood pressure, reduce stress, increase your pain threshold and even make you look younger. Smiling also makes you more attractive to others, which in turn makes you feel better about yourself. And the list goes on... It's one of the most simple and effective ways to improve your health and happiness—so why are so many people afraid to do it?
It seems like a strange thing to be afraid of, but it's true: some people have a real fear of smiling. In extreme cases, this leads to social anxiety or depression, but milder cases are pretty common too. Some people just aren't comfortable with their smiles—they may think they have an unattractive smile due to crooked teeth, missing teeth or stained teeth. And that discomfort can keep them from smiling more often than they'd like. But there's no need to be afraid anymore! These days, there are plenty of easy options to help you get a more beautiful smile—and it all starts with an honest conversation with your dentist.
If you've been avoiding the dentist because you're scared of what they might say about your smile, you can also consider at home treatments. For instance, if you have stains on your teeth that are stopping you from smiling, consider GLO Science Teeth Whitening Devices to make your smile good as new!
When it comes to reasons to smile, you might say "nothing" at first blush—but the truth is, there are many benefits of smiling. A good smile has the power to make you more attractive, lift your mood and even help you live longer. So if you're not smiling with confidence, it's time to take a look at these reasons why you should. Smiling can improve your mood, relieve stress, and even increase your lifespan. There's no better time than to start now! If you’re looking for ways to start, check out our list of tips and tricks to help you smile better as a first step.
Ways to Make Others Smile
Smiling can improve your mood, relieve stress, and even increase your lifespan. And the best part is that it's contagious! Psychologists have actually found that when one person smiles at another, it has a direct effect on the second person's brain activity, which then causes them to smile in return. It's like we're hardwired to be happy! If you're having trouble getting out of a bad mood—or if you just want to spread some good cheer—here are a few more reasons why giving someone a smile is one of the best ways to make their day, and how you can do it:
1. Give Them a Gift
Giving someone a gift is one of the best ways to put a smile on someone’s face. There are lots of different things you can do to make someone smile, but giving them something they want or need is one of the best ways to do it.You don’t have to spend a lot of money either. If you want to give someone a gift that will make them smile, here are some ideas:
A funny card with a joke or funny picture on it. This is a great way to give someone an inexpensive gift that will definitely put a smile on their face. You can find these cards at any store or online and they are really affordable!
A stuffed animal or toy for their child or pet. If you know someone whose child is going through a rough time or has lost something important in their life, this could be an excellent way for them to get back on track and start feeling better again. It might just be what they need most right now!
Cookies and brownies from the local bakery or grocery store. These days there are so many bakeries that specialize in making delicious treats like brownies, cookies and cakes. These treats provide people with comfort food that reminds them of home while also boosting their moods because they got a surprise gift!
A GLO Science Teeth Whitening Device. If you know someone who has always been looking for a way to brighten their smile but never knew where to start, a GLO Science Teeth Whitening Device is the perfect gift. Your friend will be so thankful you helped them achieve the brighter smile they’ve been wishing for!
2. Connect With Them Online
It may not be practical or feasible to meet with friends and family in real life at the moment, but that doesn't mean you can't stay connected. Schedule an online meeting with your loved ones so that you can catch up and keep in touch. Being able to see one another through the screen should have everyone smiling.
3. Send Them Flowers
Most people love getting flowers, and as soon as they are delivered to them, there's no doubt that a smile will cross their face. As you imagine how happy this kind gesture will make someone else, it will no doubt bring a smile to your face as well.
Smiles Make the World a Better Place
Smiles allow us to bond with other human beings, which is why it's recognized across the globe. Not only does it make us feel connected, but it makes us feel good. If you are looking for more topics related to smiling and its benefits, check out our blog for more!
If you aren't smiling as often as you should because you feel insecure about your stained or discolored teeth, then take the necessary steps to make your teeth as dazzling as possible. At GLO Science, we have a variety of different products to fit your every need. Check out our selection and find the right products today!
