8 of unexpected reasons to smile as often as possible
Educational Program Health / / December 19, 2019
Only at first glance, a smile - something involuntary and least important. In fact, it is a powerful preventative tool that can prevent and colds and migraine, and cardiovascular disease - proven by science. This is what happens to you if you start to smile more often.
1. Reduce the burden on the cardiovascular system
The study showsGrin and bear it: the influence of manipulated facial expression on the stress response, People who are starting to smile in a stressful situation, reduced heart rate. And this leads to the restoration of calm and confidence. In addition, stress, smiling uses less cardiovascular system, almost without causing a negative impact on her health.
At the same ones who are in difficult situations it prefers to maintain the natural panic or neutral facial expression, the heart is still pounding, and relax them more difficult. So the next time, even if it's bad, try to smile - just feel better.
2. Reduce stress
Smiles and significantly reduce laughingNeuroendocrine and stress hormone changes during mirthful laughter
the level of stress hormones cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine. The more you smile, the lower the risk of chronic stress, which modern scientists considered responsible for almost all health problems - from obesity to migraine headaches, Digestive problems and skin reactions.3. There was a feeling of happiness
Even strained social smile (and when not to smile, but it is necessary!) IncreasesSocial laughter is correlated with an elevated pain threshold production of endorphins - the hormone of happiness. And its level is directly related to mood. The higher it is, the brighter and happier life seems.
Fake smile boosts endorphin levels as well as the present: the brain, giving the command to the production of hormones, reacts to the behavior of the facial muscles, not on emotions.
4. pain subsides
For the same reasons as in the above paragraph: endorphins have sedative and analgesic effect comparable to the effect of opioids. A opiates, among others, used instead of anesthesia used in operations.
5. It strengthens the immune system
Smile causes the body to quickly produce white blood cells - white blood cells. White blood cells - one of the key men of the immune system: they are responsible for protecting the body against viruses, bacteria and other infection. The body is able to speedily produce white blood cells in response to the threat, the greater the immunity. research«Does happiness help healing?» Immune response of hospitalized children may change during visits of the Smiling Hospital Foundation's Artists, Conducted with the participation of children in hospitals, show: in hospitalized children, which visit the animators and clowns, forcing the smile, the level of white blood cells is higher than that of children who are not fun.
6. insomnia go away
Good news for those who like to watch comedy evenings or just to spend time with family, friends and loved ones. Smiles, which accompany such leisure, substantially improveEffects of the Neuropeptide Substance P on Sleep, Mood, and Neuroendocrine Measures in Healthy Young Men sleep, making it more calm and deep, and facilitate the process of falling asleep.
7. improve memory
Researchers from the University Medical Center Loma Linda (California, USA) conducted tests on memorizing among people aged between 60 and 70 years old. Older volunteers were asked to remember the contents of several cards. Then, the subjects were divided into two groups: the first was allowed to just relax, and the second included funny videos.
After 20 minutes, the elderly were asked to recall the content of the cards. It was found that those who watched the videos and smiling, rememberedThe effect of humor on short-term memory in older adults: a new component for whole-person wellness on average two times more information than their vacationing colleagues. It is said that a smile can improve at least a short-term memory.
8. Increase life expectancy
People who often smile and have an average of 70 per cent chance of living to 80 years, while their less smiling friends this chance is only 50%. These are the results of researchSmile Intensity in Photographs Predicts LongevityConducted by Ernest Abel and Michael Kruger from Wayne State University (Michigan, USA).
To this conclusion came after scientists analysis of old photographs: they gave the smiling and frowning faces, and then followed the fate of the archives of people depicted on the pictures. The connection between smiling and life expectancy has been proven in most cases.
In general, a smile more often, and your life is not only a long and healthy, but also extremely enjoyable.
see also
- 10 proven ways to cheer yourself up →
- How to saturate the body with hormones of happiness →
- 6 simple things that will make you much happier →