Share with the World the Power of a Healthy Smile
Smiles portray happiness. National Smile Day is observed on May 31 every year. The best way to celebrate this day dedicated to smiling is to smile. People often do not realise that they carry a frowning face. A smile is the best accessory. With happiness comes confidence. It is logical to assume that people have been smiling throughout human history. A smile is understood in every culture and language, making it a universal gesture of goodwill. The more we smile, the healthier our brains and bodies become. It enhances our ability to endure and strengthens our immune system. When we are happy from the inside, life looks better, and it is easy to handle challenges. Do something to bring a smile to someone else’s face. As Charlie Chaplin said, you will find life worthwhile if you smile.
Never regret anything that made you smile.
Mark Twain
Smiles portray happiness. National Smile Day is observed on May 31 every year. Drs Tim Stirneman and Jim Wojdyla, from Illinois, have taken the lead in making it happen, and they started in 2018. Being dentists, they connect good smile and dental hygiene. An interesting observation about the older portraits is that they often show unsmiling people, presumably in their bid to hide poor teeth. It also could be due to the aristocratic perception that smiling is attributed to the lack of good manners. It is seen that the breadth of the smiles has increased over the years. The best way to celebrate this day dedicated to smiling is to smile. People often do not realise that they carry a frowning face. A smile is the best accessory. With happiness comes confidence. Imagine the impact it would have on the people when someone walks into the room with a smile. The day also heralds the beginning of National Smile Month.
It is logical to assume that people have been smiling throughout human history. A smile is understood in every culture and language, making it a universal gesture of goodwill. Babies start smiling as early as six weeks old, showcasing the innate nature of this expression. Studies suggest that people who smile more often live longer, healthier lives. Smile is part of a universal language. Researchers indicate that humans have copied the trait from apes. A French neurologist, Guillaume Duchenne, says two types of smiles exist. One with the eyes is a genuine smile, and the other is an ambiguous and polite smile. As one grows, one tends to smile less. Researchers indicate that babies smile ~400 times daily, down to ~20 as one grows up. Smile has power. Not only does it make one feel good, but it also sows seeds of bonding between the people sharing a smile.
Smile: Reduces Stress, Elevates Mood,
and is Contagious.
The more we smile, the healthier our brains and bodies become. It enhances our ability to endure and strengthens our immune system. When we are happy from the inside, life looks better, and it is easy to handle challenges. We learn to focus more on the positive than the negative – we also learn to appreciate people who love us and teach us goodness. When we are happy from within, we smile more and spread that positivity around us.
Research shows that smiling activates the brain’s reward mechanisms and makes one happier. A smile triggers the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. These are essential for emotional well-being. Furthermore, smiling is contagious. Seeing someone smile can stimulate one’s mirror neurons, making them smile. Â
To smile is to embrace positivity,
especially during challenging moments.
Pursue activities that bring Joy.
Make efforts to find time for activities that bring happiness. It could be pursuing a hobby, listening to music, or being with nature. Engaging in activities, one enjoys results in a much-needed break from stressors and rejuvenates one’s spirit.
There is a smile and laughter. A laugh is typically more intense and sometimes uncontrollable, while a smile can be subtle and controlled. A laugh usually implies a response to external stimuli, while a smile may or may not be a conscious reaction to something. While giving a smile is welcome, it is not valid with laughing at someone, as it has a different connotation. Another challenge we face is the way laughter is portrayed in media. They are taking away the joy of laughing.
Do something to bring a smile to someone else’s face. As Charlie Chaplin said, you will find life worthwhile if you smile.
A simple smile. That is the start of opening your heart and being compassionate to others.
Dalai Lama
Toons: Advika and Anusha Â
Logs: M Sai Baba
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