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From a smile, not only a gloomy day becomes brighter. Studies show that smiling people appear more attractive and confident to others, they earn more money and get promotions at work more easily. We figure out what other miracles such a simple thing as a smile is capable of.
1. You will be unforgettable
Why are some people remembered well from the first meeting, while others are lost in memory? Maybe it’s all about the smile. Scientists from Duke University in the United States conducted a study: they showed a group of subjects photographs of people, measured the activity in their brains, and after some time repeated the experience.
It turned out that when looking at a photo of smiling people in the brain, a special area is activated – the orbitofrontal cortex, which controls emotions during decision-making. In other words, the brain “likes” remembering smiling faces more than everyone else.
So, if you want to stay in the memory of the interlocutor for a long time – for example, during a meeting, corporate party or interview – try smiling more.
2. You can achieve more
Athletic coach Charles Garfield once noticed that when his weightlifters were exhausted during training, they involuntarily built grimaces that resembled a smile.
When Garfield noticed this strange feature, he set up an experiment and told the athletes to smile at the moment when they think they can no longer handle a single bench press or squat. It turned out that smiling helps to overcome fatigue and do two or three more repetitions.
The secret is simple: smiling works like a natural pain reliever. When the corners of the lips are stretched, special facial nerves are activated, stimulating the parts of the brain responsible for the production of endorphins.
Endorphins enter the bloodstream, relieve pain and make a person feel happier. By the way, a smile helps to increase productivity not only in sports, but also in any other activity.
3. You will be more valued at work.
Yale University found that attractive men earn 9% more than their regular-looking competitors, and attractive women earn 4%. Over a career, this seemingly small difference can result in a substantial amount.
But what makes us attractive? A beautiful smile is one of the main components of our image. A Match.com survey of 5 respondents showed that 96% of people consider a healthy smile to be an essential attribute of an attractive person.
Besides that smiling people are more often perceived as purposeful, self-confident, sociable and ready to work in a team. Therefore, at work, they are considered valuable employees and are more likely to be offered promotions.
4. You will live a longer and happier life.
A smile is directly related to the health of not only the oral cavity, but the whole body. As BBC Science explains, the more people smile, the lower their blood pressure and less stress hormones. And this means that the likelihood of getting a heart attack and other diseases of the cardiovascular system is reduced.
According to the publication, if you look at photographs of professional baseball players who lived in the 1950s and follow their fate, it becomes clear that those who posed in photographs with a smile lived longer lives. A similar observation can be made by studying the school albums of graduates: those who did not smile in the photo in childhood were five times more likely to get divorced in the future.
Scientists conclude that a smile indicates a positive attitude towards life, which helps to cope with any adversity and build strong family relationships.
A good habit
You can learn to smile more often – and this will be one of your healthiest habits. Start right now as you read the text: imagine something that makes you feel warm and smile widely. It could be a vacation spot, a good friend, or a pet.
Try to associate a smile with a certain action: for example, smile every time you see your reflection in the mirror or receive a message in the messenger.
If meditation is not alien to you, try to practice its special kind – metta meditation, meditation of love and kindness (there are many training videos on YouTube), which awakens and cultivates bright feelings towards yourself and others. A smile can accompany the entire practice or complete it.
Maintain healthy teeth and gums, and then you will never be ashamed of your smile. By the way, you can benefit not only from the smile itself, but also from caring for it. For example, proper dental care includes regular brushing, chewing sugar-free gum after each meal, and timely visits to the dentist.
In addition, back in the 1930s at Columbia University in the USA who have proven that chewing gum relieves muscle and psychological tension during work and allows workers to feel more relaxed during the working day. The conclusions of scientists were repeatedly confirmed in the future.