An Easy Way to Boost Health – Smile!
Children smile more than 400 times a day. Yet as we age, our faces show more blank expressions or even frowns. The happiest of adults smile an average of 40–50 times a day, while the average adult only smiles 20 times a day. Fortunately, there’s good news about smiling that will make you grin. Growing research finds that smiling elicits a plethora of health benefits, including less stress and a happier, longer life.
A study of baseball card photos taken in 1952 revealed that the smiling baseball players outlived their non-smiling counterparts by seven years. Researchers conclude that benefits of smiling include getting restful sleep and actually awakening your brain with feel-good neural messaging. Even slight grins boost physical health. Check out these benefits of smiling:
- Fortifies the immune system. A happy face makes for an upbeat mood and relaxed body, which enhance immune function. Smiling literally helps prevent flu and colds.
- Produces stress-reducing hormones like cortisol, dopamine and adrenaline to counter the risk of heart disease, heart attack, stroke and structural changes in the brain’s memory.
- Releases the body’s natural drugs. With a happy face, the body releases pain-reducing endorphins to relax the body, reduce heart rate and lower blood pressure.
- Positively changes mood. Psychologists note that if a person grins for 60 seconds, even if the grin is faked or forced, the body releases mood-lifting serotonin that helps the body feel contented again.
- Uplifts the face for a more youthful look. The face’s smile muscles physically draw up the face, making a person look younger and more vibrant.
Right at Home caregivers know just how to bring out the benefits of smiling through shared activities, conversations and memories with your elderly loved ones. And that is something to smile about.
How do you help your senior loved one smile more often throughout the day?
