Smiling PM

Smiling!

There are so many benefits to smiling and laughing that it has been proven to be "the best medicine". The beauty is that it is free and you have the power to do it at any time and anywhere! These are just a few benefits:

Reduces stress, depression, anxiety, and negative thoughts and feelings
Lowers the levels of stress hormones (epinephrine, cortisol), and increases hormones and neuro-peptides related to positive feelings
Promotes better sleep
Improves interpersonal relationships and connects people.. (so we don't feel so alone)

These are just a few of the many! These above should be enough to encourage you to laugh and smile more frequently during the day. Don't feel like smiling or laughing? The beauty is, that even when we "fake" a smile or laugh, the body doesn't know the difference, and will still give you the same benefits! So, start with a smile on your way to work. Smile at people at the grocery store and notice what happens. What you may notice is that smiles are contagious. When you smile at someone, they will likely smile back at you. Notice the wonderful feeling when you encourage someone else to smile. Allow it to start a domino affect of smiling at people. I encourage you to smile whenever you can! Smile to others or to yourself at least five times a day.
When at home, find that hysterical comedy that makes you laugh and watch it. Notice how you feel afterwards. Allow yourself to tap into all these positive feelings. After a good day of smiling and laughing...notice how you feel.
Check out, The Smiling Experiment for more on how this can be so beneficial.