18th October 2022
A smile is your new secret superpower! Smiling more can lead to a better lifestyle, improved health benefits and longevity, and a more positive outlook on life.
Kent is already a warm and friendly area of England, with 3 of its cities making the top 15 friendliest cities in the United Kingdom. Let us explain why, by the end of this article, Dartford may be number one on the most likeable UK city list and why you and the residents of Kent will be smiling more. Here are 10 reasons to smile.
Researchers have discovered that by forcing a smile, you activate a specific set of muscles in your face that connect to the emotions of happiness and joy. By smiling, you are signalling your brain’s emotional centres to tell them everything is good. So even if you feel nervous or unhappy, you can trick yourself into changing your mood.
Despite our staff wearing face masks for the past few years, you will always find our team at Dartford Road Dental Centre smiling. Visiting the dentist can be a stressful and scary experience for some of our nervous patients but seeing our friendly, smiley staff when you enter our reception area can instantly lift your mood and ease your anxiety.
2. Smiling lifts the face and make you look youngerThere are many reasons why smiling makes a person look younger. The muscles we use to smile can actually lift the face, decreasing frown lines and maintaining a less wrinkled and older appearance, making a person appear younger.
According to a recent survey, the average adult only smiles 7 times per day compared to a child who may smile up to 400 times a day – Us adults need to smile more!
But another reason smiling may make you look young is the mechanics of smiling and ageing. Many of the marks of ageing are remnants of smiles, such as crow’s feet and smile lines.
When you’re smiling, these remnants blend to become part of your smile rather than a sign of ageing. Of course, not all patients are happy with these ‘smile lines’ and have the option of facial aesthetics to smooth the appearance.
According to experts, a happy disposition and positive outlook on life can have a powerful impact on health. Happy people enjoy better health and longevity.
One study found that genuine, intense smiling is associated with longer life. Lower stress levels tend to prolong the lifespan, then smiling extends the lifespan.
Smiling is also associated with a lower risk of early death from cancer and infection.
Experts also found that genuine smiling really can extend your lifetime, but faking doesn’t count. A study found extra life expectancy was only seen in those who were genuinely happy, as opposed to those who forced it.
When we are worn down and overwhelmed, stress can show up on our faces. Maintaining a happy, positive mood is essential to a healthy lifestyle.
Go ahead and smile right now. Now, try to think of something without losing the smile. It’s not easy.
When we smile, we send ourselves the message that ‘life is great!’ We can reduce depression, stress, and worrying by embracing a grin.
The next time you feel stressed, try intentionally putting a smile on your face. It may help improve your mood and ability to manage the stress you are experiencing.
If stress is taking over your life and you would like some help, please click this NHS link for help and support – Get help with stress – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
A simple smile can trigger the release of neuropeptides that improve your neural communication. All perceptions, thoughts, and behaviours result from combinations of signals among neurons.
Studies have shown that smiling releases endorphins and serotonin, our bodies’ natural painkillers. This natural drug we produce has been shown to help ease any physical pain that you could be experiencing.
By producing endorphins and serotonin, we can actively combat mental pain, too, such as anxiety, fear, anger, fatigue, irritability, depression, and sleeping problems.
We are naturally drawn to people who smile. A smile draws us in, and there is an attraction factor. Smiling is also intrinsic to human behaviour.
In fact, your smile is the most crucial factor in physical attraction. According to scientific research, a person who smiles more has a healthier-looking resting face.
When a person is confident enough to smile to the point of having a healthy glowing grin, the research shows that they are considered more attractive than someone who doesn’t smile as often.
Have you ever looked around the room and someone is smiling at you? What do you do next? You instinctively smile back!
When we see a smiling face, it activates the orbit frontal cortex, the region of our brain that processes sensory rewards. This, in turn, suggests that your brain feels rewarded when you see a smile.
When someone is smiling, they lighten up the room, change the mood of others and make the surroundings lighter and happier. A smiling person brings happiness with them.
8. Smiling boosts your immune system Smiling boosts the immune system, helping it to work better. When you smile, immune function improves because you are more relaxed.
Here’s the science behind it – Interaction between our muscles, neural system, and the brain creates an internal fuelling station that can recharge your day. If your mood has been less than optimal or you’re feeling out of sorts physically, a smile might be just the medicine you need!
When you smile, there is a measurable reduction in your blood pressure. You can test the science yourself if you have a blood pressure monitor at home. Sit for a few minutes and take a reading. Then smile for a minute and take another reading while you’re still smiling. Did you notice a difference?
Laughter seems explicitly to lower blood pressure after causing an initial increase in heart rate and breathing, whilst smiling alone has been shown to lower your heart rate in the face of stress.
Smile. Now try to think of something negative without losing your smile. It is challenging to do. This is because, as we have learned throughout this article, smiling can influence your feelings of positivity, even if it feels unnatural or forced.
Regardless of whether or not your smile is genuine, it still sends the message that “Life is great!” to your brain and, ultimately, the rest of your body.
Flashing your pearly whites in and around Dartford, can positively impact many aspects of your day-to-day life.
It can boost creativity and problem-solving ability and increase productivity.
Researchers have also found smiling can make you more successful at work. A happy face is considered a sign of confidence, capability, and approachability.
Having a smile can also help others trust you, with studies showing you are much more likely to trust those who smile.
Life is like a mirror; it will smile at you if you smile at it. And remember that your smile is your superpower!
For further information or if you have any concerns regarding your smile and would like to book in with our dentists and hygienist, please call our friendly reception team on 01322 223 927
Booking has never been easier. Request an appointment by following this link; Online Booking (dentalhub.online) and simply filling out your contact details.
We hope to see you soon!
We are happy to help if you have any questions or concerns - get in touch today with our easy to use contact form. Our friendly team is waiting to hear from you!
Areas we serve include Dartford, Crayford and surrounding areas
When to visit
We have early opening hours!
Mon - Thurs 8:15am - 5:30pm
Friday 8:15am - 1:45pm
Saturday 9:00am - 1:45pm (appointment only)