Anointedtoday.blogspot.com: The Benefits of Smiling and Laughing

Did you know that smiling and laughing are simple gifts that can brighten your day and lift, your spirit? Best of all, they are free!

Think About It. . .

***Purpose***

1. Fake Smiling

Have you ever heard of fake smiles? Have you tried it. According to verywellmind.com even a fake smile can trick your brain into feeling happier and help you manage stress better. They further added that research suggests that smiles are contagious and can change the moods of others for the better.

2. Chemical Cocktail

Do you know what a chemical cocktail is? When you smile your brain releases three key chemicals: they are Dopamine which drives feelings of reward and motivation, Serotonin to regulate your mood, and endorphins, a natural painkiller. Scienceinsights.org., talks about this. They further added that not all smiles are created equal. Receiving warm, genuine smiles helped people recover from stressful situations more quickly, whereas people who received cold, dominant smiles had elevated cortisol levels half an hour later.

3. Medicine

Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones. Laughter is good medicine for your body. Do you know of people that are joyful and that smile often? Do you know people that are grouchy and always complaining? Brainperformance.com talks about how complaining rewires the brain. Research from Stanford reveals that frequent complaining shrinks the hippocampus which is vital for memory and problem-solving. They further added that listening to complaints for over 30 minutes can harm the brain. What can you do about it? How about developing a habit of gratitude? How about acknowledging things that you are grateful for in your life? Have you tried this? I have tried it and discovered there are so many things in my life to be grateful for. Think about it. Remember start thinking twice before complaining.

4. Laughing and Exercise

Can smiling be a form of exercise? Yes, it can. Did you know that laughing expands the lungs, stretches the muscles in the body and stimulates homeostasis. This exercises the body, replenishing the cells from a lung full of oxygen and gains all the benefits of exercising the body. Lifehack.org., further states that smiling makes you appear more approachable, makes others feel better too, and makes you more appealing and attractive person to be around. Who doesn't want to look attractive?

5. Smiling Depression

Do you know what smiling depression is? Have you seen those that appear cheerful with a smile only to find out later that they were battling depression? Have you seen those that appeared cheerful only later to discover they had committed suicide? Psychologytoday.com talks about how this major depressive disorder often goes unnoticed. And those affected might be high-achieving, outwardly successful individuals who suppress their struggles. I believe this is a time when others might question how they missed the signs.

6. Different Types of Smiles

Different types of smiles might include genuine, fake, polite, flirtatious, embarrassed, sarcastic, miserable, and compliance smiles. These are all talked about at wikihow.com. I am sure you have seen two or more of the types of smiles listed above sometime during your life. They also noted that this form of non-verbal communication allows you to express reward smiles, affiliative smiles, and dominance smiles. I can identify with the dominance smiles. I have seen those that express superiority with their smile. It is very clear and a (no doubt about it) type of smile.

7. Difference in Smiling and Laughter

Smiling may occur when you are reading or possibly having a private thought. Have you ever noticed this? Someone might be reading and you see them smiling? It makes you wonder, “What is so interesting?” Laughter generally evokes something funny such as a joke or story. You may know of people that are generally funny. These type of people will tell you jokes or talk about funny instances that may have occurred. They will share these things with you.

I was at a funeral recently. The grandchildren shared how the grandfather not only taught the boys how to cut grass but taught the girls also. I could see myself smiling when this was shared. I felt myself laughing when the grandson shared growing up he and his grandfather had cut 9 lawns. His grandfather only paid $1.50 to him. He was very upset and went to tell his grandmother. After she said a few choice words the grandfather then gave him $20.00 more, which he says was a lot at that time for a child. Can you think of instances when you have had a big laugh?

8. Babies Smiling and Laughing

Have you ever thought about when babies start smiling and laughing? By about 2 months your baby may start to show social smiles that are real, intentional and responsive smiles. Babies start laughing around four to six months. Health.clevelandclinic.org., talks about this. They do add, however, to talk to your child’s pediatrician if your baby is not responding to your voice, not engaging with toys, or not showing interest in exploring their environment.

9. Do You Cry When You Laugh?

Did you know that crying and laughing provide the same kind of release for physiological stress. Newhealthadvisor.org., talks about this. They also added that when people laugh or cry, it is an involuntary subconscious attempt at calming down and reducing stress. Have you ever just had that laugh that was so funny that you started crying?

Have you observed that some people are just naturally funny. My big sister just keeps me laughing. She can be so funny.

Source:

10 Big Benefits of Smiling

What Does Smiling Do to Your Brain and Mood? - ScienceInsights

How Complaining Rewires Your Brain

7 Benefits of Smiling and Laughing that You Didn't Know about - LifeHack

The Extraordinary Power of a Smile | Psychology Today

21 Types of Smiles: What They Mean & Look Like

The Difference Between Smiling and Laughing - Humor That Works

When Do Babies Start Smiling and Laughing?

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/when-do-babies-start-laughing-smiling

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