Why We Smile For Seniors
Why does smiling make us happy? 😁
Smiling is one of the simplest things an individual can do. But its simplicity hides the amount of complex steps our brain and conscious goes through. The act of smiling has the ability to have an effect on our moods, as well as our health in the long run. Whether it’s having a good laugh with your friend or even just a beam out of politeness to a stranger in the street, the act of smiling grasps a power over our minds and bodies.
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We as humans smile to signify friendliness or aim to reduce tension in a non-verbal way. We are taught from birth that smiling often means that we are happy. While it can show that one is happy, smiling can also make the person smiling happier as well.
The Duchenne smile, a genuine smile, requires the use of two muscle groups: the Zygomatic Major and the Orbicularis Oculi. The zygomatic major has the ability to pull the corners of the mouth upwards, creating the smile structure that we all know. The Orbicularis Oculi has the ability to squint the eyes when smiling. When these muscles take action, it sends a message up to the brain that something good is currently happening, releasing dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin.
Benefits of Smiling For Health:
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While it is a way to express our emotions, it can also be a positive health factor as well. Smiling can lower our body’s stress response by controlling and reducing the amount of cortisol levels (a type of hormone produced by the adrenal glands). It also has the ability to support the immune system by strengthening it. A strong immune system can make it easier to fight off infections, therefore benefiting our health.
Social Factor:
Smiles are known to be contagious. Whether in a good situation or not, the brain sends signals to mirror the smiling expression when received, making it likely that others will smile back at you when you smile at them. With this effect, smiling can help implement a more stress-free and comfortable environment for others.
Some ways to bring more joy into your life can be: journaling, spending time with loved ones, and listening to music to your liking. All these factors can bring more joy and smiles into your life, bringing positive aspects to your life as well.
