SMILE!

Ah, c'mon, admit - you just smiled (and you just felt better!)  Here's why it works (and why you should do it)...and not just because "Dr. Schulze said to" (and made many patients memorize 100 new jokes!)...

Serotonin Smiles

Smiling has been found to boost levels of the neurotransmitter, Serotonin. It is a vital part of regulating our moods, sleep, sexuality and appetite. There is an obvious biological connection to elements of happiness in the production of Serotonin. It goes both ways and producing a good mood, getting good sleep, good sex and good food will ensure the smiles and Serotonin keep pumping.

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A deep inner smile spreads like a relaxing elixir making us receptive to transform negative energy into positive. Conversely, a scowl suppresses our immune system by increasing stress, contracting channels and blocking energy. Research by French physiologist Dr Israel Waynbaum indicates that facial muscles used to express emotion trigger specific brain neurotransmitters. Smiling signals happy healing hormones such as ecstatic endorphins and immune boosting killer T-cells whereas frowning triggers the secretion of stress hormones. Smile therapy actually lowers the stress hormones cortisol, adrenalin and noradrenaline and produces hormones which stabilise blood pressure, relax muscles, improve respiration, reduce pain, accelerate healing and stabilise mood (1.Hodgkinson L. (1994) Smile Therapy, Optima.Klein A. (1989) The Healing Power of Humour, GP Putnam and Sons.
Ornstein A. Sobel D. (1987) The Healing Brain, Simon and Schuster)  If you're feeling down the stress hormones secreted with a scowl may increase blood pressure, weaken the immune system, increase susceptibility to infections, and exacerbate depression and anxiety.

More fantastic information: http://www.universal-tao.com/article/the_inner_smile.html

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Smiling Feels Like Eating 2,000 Chocolate Bars

That's right-according to The British Dental Health Foundation, a smile gives the same level of stimulation as eating 2,000 chocolate bars. The results were found after researchers measured brain and heart activity in volunteers as they were shown pictures of smiling people and given money and chocolate.

Dr. Nigel Carter, chief executive of the Foundation, pointed out, "We have long been drawing attention to the fact that smiling increases happiness both in yourself and those around you, so it is good to receive the backing of this scientific research ... A healthy smile can improve your confidence, help you make friends and help you to succeed in your career ... "

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The Sound of a Smile

While the sound of a smile might easily be called a laugh, our voices project a warmer tone when we speak with a smile. This is why smiling when on the phone is important and ensures a better conversation, whether with your mother-in-law or the sales person that called during dinner.

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Check out all THESE benefits!

 http://positivepsychologynews.com/news/emiliya-zhivotovskaya/200809271036

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The Endorphin Link

Endorphins are another neurotransmitter released from smiling and known as the body's natural painkillers. Not surprisingly, endorphins are also released when laughing, exercise, frequent sex, eating chocolate, sunbathing, massages, meditation, dancing, singing and listening to music to just about anything that leaves a smile on your face.

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What's even better is that the more you smile, the more others will too. Says psychologist Dr. David Lewis, "Seeing a smile creates what is termed as a 'halo' effect, helping us to remember other happy events more vividly, feel more optimistic, more positive and more motivated."

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A Healthy Smile

One reason to smile is to celebrate your health, but smiling itself is a ticket to better health through neurotransmitters. Numerous medical and psychological studies have found that through the triggering of certain hormones, a smile promotes good overall health. This leads to lower heart rates, steady breathing and the ability to smile through stressful situations.

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Brain

Smiling reduces muscle tension and mental stress, keeping your brain alert.

Stress

Smiling has been proven to reduce stress.

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10 Benefits of Smiling

1. Smiling Makes Us Attractive. We are drawn to people who smile. There is an attraction factor. We want to know a smiling person and figure out what is so good. Frowns, scowls and grimaces all push people away -- but a smile draws them in.

2. Smiling Changes Our Mood. Next time you are feeling down, try putting on a smile. There's a good chance you mood will change for the better. Smiling can trick the body into helping you change your mood.

3. Smiling Is Contagious. When someone is smiling they lighten up the room, change the moods of others, and make things happier. A smiling person brings happiness with them. Smile lots and you will draw people to you.

4. Smiling Relieves Stress. Stress can really show up in our faces. Smiling helps to prevent us from looking tired, worn down, and overwhelmed. When you are stressed, take time to put on a smile. The stress should be reduced and you'll be better able to take action.

5. Smiling Boosts Your Immune System. Smiling helps the immune system to work better. When you smile, immune function improves possibly because you are more relaxed. Prevent the flu and colds by smiling.

6. Smiling Lowers Your Blood Pressure. When you smile, there is a measurable reduction in your blood pressure. Give it a try if you have a blood pressure monitor at home. Sit for a few minutes, take a reading. Then smile for a minute and take another reading while still smiling. Do you notice a difference?

7. Smiling Releases Endorphins, Natural Pain Killers and Serotonin. Studies have shown that smiling releases endorphins, natural pain killers, and serotonin. Together these three make us feel good. Smiling is a natural drug.

8. Smiling Lifts the Face and Makes You Look Younger. The muscles we use to smile lift the face, making a person appear younger. Don't go for a face lift, just try smiling your way through the day -- you'll look younger and feel better.

9. Smiling Makes You Seem Successful. Smiling people appear more confident, are more likely to be promoted, and more likely to be approached. Put on a smile at meetings and appointments and people will react to you differently.

10. Smiling Helps You Stay Positive. Try this test: Smile. Now try to think of something negative without losing the smile. It's hard. When we smile our body is sending the rest of us a message that "Life is Good!" Stay away from depression, stress and worry by smiling.

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http://www.mcrjk2008.com/2009/07/10-benefits-of-smiling.html

http://odyb.net/discoveries/little-known-reasons-and-benefits-of-smiling/

http://www.sixwise.com/newsletters/05/04/12/smile-the-remarkable-personal-ben...

http://ecam.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/nem097?ijkey=vQVXkCN8QhDjDQe&...

http://curezone.com/upload/_N_Forums/Natural_Heali/Laughter_RxLNCIfinalApril2...