Do You Know Smiling Can Help You Live Longer?

There’s actually good reason to turn that frown upside down. Science has shown that smiling can lift your mood, lower stress, boost your immune system and possibly even prolong your life! Why? Because smiling spurs a chemical reaction in the brain, releasing certain hormones including dopamine and serotonin. Dopamine increases our feelings of happiness and serotonin release reduces stress.

Further, numerous studies have shown that depression weakens your immune system, while happiness on the other hand has been shown to boost your body’s resistance. Studies show that even forcing a fake smile can legitimately reduce stress and lower your heart rate. This is because when you smile the brain sees the muscle activity and assumes that you are happy. In a sense, your brain doesn’t care whether you are smiling or pretending and the "happy hormones" are released. My advice? When in doubt, smile! Your body will thank you!