Smiling for Health

This one act most of us do at least once every day (hopefully), creates more significant physiological and psychological changes instantly than just about any other thing we do. The surprising thing about smiling is that just the act of smiling, even when we don't feel like it, creates biochemical changes in the brain that lifts mood, reduces stress and releases endorphins.

Smiling can lift your spirits. A study conducted by the British Dental Health Foundation showed the act of smiling to dramatically improve one's mood. Dr. Nigel Carter, foundation CEO, stated "We have long been drawing attention to the fact that smiling increases happiness both in yourself and those around you, so it is good to receive the backing of this scientific research. A healthy smile can improve your confidence, help you make friends and help you to succeed in your career."

People who smile more often have a more positive effect on their environment, and are better received by others (Abel, MH, Hester, R. (2002). A more specific pragmatic benefit is that restaraunt workers who serve customers with a smile are observed to receive larger tips (Tidd & Lockard, 1978) and repeat business (Tsai, 2001). Smiling can even affect the way one person is recieved by another over the phone. A study, conducted by Amy Drahota, examined how smiling affects how people speak and are heard. From her research, she ascertained that "When we listen to people speaking, we may be picking up on all sorts of cues, even unconsciously, which help us to interpret the speaker."

Smiling may help to reduce symptoms associated with anxiety. Mark Stibich, PhD, consultant at Columbia University, believes that "If you can slow your breathing down and change your expression, you may be able to turn around the stress cascade." Chronic stress does significant damage to to the body and mind. Reducing stress may lower blood pressure, improve digestion, regulate blood sugar and curb neurotic reactions brought on by prolonged anxiety.

Stress has been linked to a number of health problems, including heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity.

• When you smile or laugh, your body releases endorphins. These are brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters, which make us feel happy. They are also a natural pain and stress reliever.
• Smiling reduces levels of cortisol, the stress hormone.
• Smiley, happy people are thought to have more friends and be more successful, by appearing more confident and approachable.
• Smiling is contagious--other people tend to smile if you are smiling.

In Taoist meditation practices developed over thousands of years, one primary technique is the "Inner Smile." Life force, chi, or prana, is considered to flow better when the body is smiling. In fact, one practice is to smile at your organs--smile at the thymus gland and have it smile back, smile at the heart, smile at the lungs, the stomach, the intestines. By doing this, you are opening the channels of chi to that organ or organs. In Taoist meditation, the Inner Smile is the first act before doing other chi-moving exercises. Any part of the body in discomfort can be benefitted by this practice.

So as the old adage says, "Smile and the world will smile with you."