Dental clinic advertisements constantly remind us that we must have a beautiful smile But the benefits of smiling go far beyond what refers to physical appearance.
Although having a sense of humor helps us connect with others, have a greater connection with other individuals, cope with stress and even improves memory as we explain in our article “The 9 benefits of having a sense of humor”, smiling, as A visible and pleasant part of our face, it also provides a series of psychological, social and health benefits.
In this article we will delve into these benefits and delve into why we should smile whenever we can.
Smiling may seem like an involuntary response to something that we find funny or makes us feel good; However, it is much more than that. We all smile several times a day, something that is closely related to happiness. You have surely noticed that when another person smiles, their expression is much more pleasant and inspires greater confidence.
You probably remember those people who always have a smile on their face, something that makes them look younger. But, Have you ever thought about what benefits a smile brings? In the following lines of this article you can find the answers to this question.
The smile has a great power of attraction towards the people around us. In fact, you will surely remember those individuals who show a big smile better, because you will perceive them as closer, more pleasant, and this makes you trust them more. That is why people who tend to smile more frequently are usually seen as more charismatic.
In addition, charismatic people present a series of traits and carry out characteristic habits.
2. Inspire greater confidence
Scientific studies have proven that when the people we interact with smile genuinely, we trust them more. Trust is an important part of interpersonal relationships, whether they are loved ones, simple acquaintances or people we meet for the first time. Smiling attracts our environment and allows us to create a closer connection with the other person.
3. Increase credibility
The smile is also a useful communication resource if what we want is to increase our image of credibility ; However, when it does not fit the context it can produce the opposite effect. According to research from the University of Pittsburgh, people who smile more are not only more trustworthy, but they present a more credible image.
4. It makes you more accessible
Trust causes us to be more accessible people, which improves our interpersonal relationships. According to scientific studies, People are more willing to engage socially with other people if they smile n A smile has a great power of attraction, and this facial expression makes other people feel comfortable with us. Facilitates communication.
5. It is contagious
Scientific studies have found evidence that smiling is contagious, so it is necessary in relationships with others. This has to do with mirror neurons, which are key in learning, especially in the case of modeling. Smiling, therefore, can make other people smile, which means that they also benefit from the points presented in this article.
Smiling seems important to activate some brain areas related to pleasurable behaviors, such as the ventral tegmental area. The ventral tegmental area has been key to the survival of the species, since it helps repeat behaviors that we find pleasant. This is mainly due to substances such as endorphins, which are natural pain relievers.
7. Increase happiness
A much-discussed theory, known as the facial feedback hypothesis, states that smiling is key to increasing happiness This is because it stimulates the brain and also releases endorphins and facilitates the synthesis of other substances related to happiness such as serotonin.
8. Relax
According to the previous theory, Smiling makes the body feel calmer and more relaxed This helps release tension from the body and also reduces blood pressure. In this sense, some sources seem to conclude that people who smile more are less likely to suffer a heart attack or other cardiovascular problems.
9. Increases life expectancy
Scientific studies have also found a relationship between smiling and life expectancy. Research carried out by Wayne State University in Michigan (United States) in 2010 states that people who smile more live longer Other studies claim that smiling makes us look younger.
10. It makes you feel less stressed
Smiling could indirectly contribute to reducing stress levels As mentioned before, it could activate brain regions related to pleasure and would also help synthesize happiness chemicals. This can be a great resource in stressful situations.
11. Makes you more attractive
Without a doubt, smiling makes us more attractive. If one of the previous points referred to the fact that smiling is a key trait of charismatic people, it also favors physical attractiveness.
In a world where almost everything costs money, a smile is free So you can smile as much as you want and benefit from the previous points without it being an expense for your finances. There is no excuse not to smile.
