“Lots of smiling can actually make you healthier. Smiling can help reduce the level of stress-enhancing hormones like cortisol, adrenaline and dopamine, increase the level of mood-enhancing hormones like endorphin and reduce overall blood pressure.”
In this Ted Talk, Ron Gutman reviews a raft of studies about smiling, and reveals some surprising results. Did you know your smile can be a predictor of how long you'll live -- and that a simple smile has a measurable effect on your overall well-being? Prepare to flex a few facial muscles as you learn more about this evolutionarily contagious behavior.
“... and if that’s not enough, smiling can actually make you look good in the eyes of others. A recent study at Penn State University found that when you smile, you don’t only appear to be more likable and courteous, but you actually appear to be more competent.
So whenever you want to look great and competent, reduce your stress or improve your marriage (...) or whenever you want to tap into a superpower that will help you and everyone around you live a longer, healthier, happier life — smile.”
Want more?
Check out 7 reasons why smiling is good for you, your health, and your social life here.
- Smiling can make you happy (even when you're not).
- Smiling can make others happy.
- Smiling makes you more attractive.
- Smiling can help you de-stress.
- Smiling can help you land a job.
- Smiling can lead to laughter.
- Smiling just feels good.
(Don't tell me this doesn't make you smile.)