Did you know science can predict how successful you’ll be in life and even how long you’ll live by measuring your smile? Yep, smiling influences longevity with beamers living almost 80 years and grumpy pants lasting only around 73.
Known as the ‘helper high’, smiling and acts of kindness are beneficial to givers, receivers and even passive observers.
“People naturally feel good when they give, help or serve others because serotonin creates feelings of exhilaration and a burst of energy, followed by a period of calmness and serenity. We call this the ‘helper high’,” say authors of The Healing Power of Doing Good, Allan Luks and Peggy Pane.
It can also alleviate stress, ease chronic pain, assist with insomnia, increase happiness, optimism and self-worth, and lessen depression, disease and disorders.
How does this influence you, your business and your staff? Humans are evolutionarily hardwired to respond to smiles and acts of kindness, so the more you do, the better the response you get.
Why science says you should (sincerely) smile more:
- It’s hard to frown when someone is smiling at you — making the work environment better.
- Facial feedback theory says expressions influence your mood. If you smile, you feel happier, no matter how badly your day started.
- Humans mimic smiles during interactions — you smile, I smile, we both feel better.
- MRI scans prove smiling directly affects brain activity in the happiness centre.
- Smiling has the same pleasure inducing effect as eating 2 000 bars of chocolate.
- Smiling reduces stress hormones — good for health.
- Smiling makes you look good, more likeable, courteous, confident and even more competent.
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Rise and Shine. Life is Good.
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