The Health Benefits of Smiling

Sharon Liao

The Health Benefits of Smiling

Most of us break into a smile when some good fortune comes our way. But the surprising reality is that the actual act of grinning has its own major payoffs for your well-being.

Studies show that smiling can protect against colds, heart disease and more. Use these seven body benefits as inspiration to say cheese!

1. Smiling busts stress

Rough day? Think about something that will turn up the corners of your mouth. "The act of smiling may cause your body to release feel-good chemicals called endorphins," says David Sabine, a clinical psychologist in Wichita Falls, Texas. What's more, research conducted by the British Dental Health Foundation revealed that just picturing a grin can instantly put you in a better mood.

2. Smiling eases pain

The next time your head starts pounding, take some aspirin and call a funny friend. According to a study published in the Journal of Pain, people who put on a happy face during an uncomfortable procedure felt less pain than those who grimaced. Your facial expression can reinforce your feelings and heighten the sensations you're experiencing.

3. Smiling makes friends

Surveys show that people who smile are thought to be more attractive, likeable and trustworthy than their more stoic counterparts. "When you break into a smile, that signals to the world that you're friendly and open to social interaction," explains Sabine. And those two factors, he says, can pave the way to building a relationship. Not only can adding more pals make life more fun, but previous studies suggest that having a wide network of friends may boost longevity and lower the risk of heart attack.

4. Smiling fends off colds

If it seems like the entire office is sneezing and sniffling, stay positive: Grinning has been linked to better immune function. In fact, researchers from Japan's Osaka University found that people who smiled and laughed throughout a funny movie experienced an increase in the power of their immune system.

5. Smiling safeguards your heart

To keep your ticker in tip-top shape, you have to eat right, steer clear of smoking and flash your pearly whites regularly. A recent study published in the European Heart Journal revealed that for every point higher people scored on a happiness scale, they were 22 percent less likely to develop a heart problem, like cardiovascular disease. If you want to boost the benefit even more, try giggling while you smile: Laughter has been shown to relax blood vessels and even lower blood pressure.

6. Smiling can help you slim down

Grinning alone won't automatically knock off those final 5 pounds, but it can help you win the weight war over the long run. Staying upbeat may help lower levels of cortisol, a stress hormone that triggers cravings for foods high in fat and sugar. That means you'll be less likely to reach for ice cream or French fries when you're under pressure. Plus, smiling can also lead to laughing, and recent research from Vanderbilt University found that 10 to 15 minutes of chuckling burned a total of 50 calories.

7. Smiling can give you a longer life

The simple act of beaming may be the difference between life and death. Researchers from the University of Illinois found that positive people lived, on average, four to 10 years longer than their more pessimistic peers. "But the key to good health is to have a genuine smile," says Sabine. In fact, a recent study of bus drivers found those who flashed a fake one on the job were more likely to suffer from blue moods than those who didn't. "You can't bury your emotions and force a grin," says Sabine. "Instead, think of something that makes you happy and start smiling."

Photo: @iStockphoto.com/Yuri_Arcurs

Sharon Liao is an award-winning health editor and writer who has been on staff at Prevention, Fitness, and Reader's Digest magazines. She has contributed to Seventeen and Weight Watchers Magazine, as well as The Intellectual Devotional: Health.

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