This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our Disclosure for more information.

Did you know that a smile can make all the difference in the world to you and to others? Also did you know that science has proven this to be true? Well this is true. Science says that a smile can and yes even a forced smile can make you happier and relieve stress.

There are many benefits to smiling. I bet there are more than you even know there to be. Let’s go over some below.

A smile can make you happier.

According to BritishCouncil.org when our brains feel happy, endorphins are produced and neuronal signals are transmitted to our facial muscles to trigger a smile and when our smiling muscles contract, they fire a signal back to the brain, stimulating our reward system, and further increasing our level of happy hormones, or endorphins.

A smile can reduce stress.

There are studies that show that if you put a smile on your face when you are stressed it can reduce the stress you are carrying. When you smile dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin are released and when these are released into your bloodstream this can help you relax. As you relax you relieve stress from your body and what a happy healthier feeling that can be.

A smile can lower your heart rate and Blood pressure.

You already know when you smile dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin are released into your bloodstream and when these are released this can have the effect of lower blood pressure and a lower heart rate. Wow this is a plus as well.

A smile can help you live longer

Believe it or not scientists have also shown that a smile can even help you live longer.

A smile is contagious

A smile is also contagious. Someone can smile at you and I am pretty sure that you will smile back. In the reverse you can just make someone’s day just by throwing out your beautiful smile.

Even some of the great spiritual leaders of the past and present have left us some wisdom regarding smiling.  Here are a few of their quotes here.

1. Smile, breathe and go slowly.  – Thich Nhat Hanh
2. Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love. – Mother Teresa
3. Let my soul smile through my heart and my heart smile through my eyes, that I may scatter rich smiles in sad hearts. – Paramahansa Yogananda
4. Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing. – Mother Teresa
5. A simple smile. That’s the start of opening your heart and being compassionate to others. – Dalai Lama

Smiling I believe can have effects on everyone. I believe if done together it can even have an effect globally. The more smiles the better. In December 2013 we created our World Wide Smile page on Facebook. On January 1^st each year at 12:00 pm Pacific time we stop and smile for 60 seconds with the world. Everyone can join in everywhere and we will begin in December posting reminders.

During the rest of the year we post and share lots of smile inspiration.

Like our page and join in on the fun. We can all make a difference together.

https://www.facebook.com/WorldWideSmileDay