Here at Dental Excellence of Blue Bell, we dedicate our time to making sure you have a beautiful, healthy smile that you’re eager to show off. But we know that dentistry isn’t just about a pretty face, and smiling is more than a way to showcase your pearly whites. In fact, just the act of smiling can have a surprisingly huge impact on your day-to-day life.
It Relaxes You
In one University of Kansas psychological study, participants were asked to perform stressful tasks while holding chopsticks in their mouths in such a way that they were forced to create the muscle patterns of smiling without explicitly being told to smile. The study participants who were forced to smile during tasks such as holding their hand in ice water or drawing shapes with their non-dominant hand had lower heart rates and self-reported stress levels.
The results showed that smiling can reduce the body’s stress response, even if the smile has nothing to do with how you’re feeling. So next time you’re stressed, try cracking a smile — even if you don’t feel like it. It could help reduce your stress, so maybe you’ll really feel like smiling!
It Helps You Solve Problems
In a series of studies in the late eighties, researchers induced a good mood in participants by giving them candy, showing them a comedic film, or giving them a gift, among other tactics. Afterwards, they were asked to complete tasks that required creative problem solving. The participants who were put into a good mood outperformed the control group, suggesting that a positive attitude can encourage creativity and problem solving.
Next time you’re faced with a challenging task, putting on a smiling face could help trigger a better mood, and ultimately give you the tools you need to successfully overcome the obstacles you’re facing!
It Improves Your Athletics
Researchers at Ulster University and Swansea University performed a study in which runners smiled or frowned while running, to see if their facial expression impacted their performance. Researchers monitored how much oxygen each runner used while running, which allowed them to measure how much energy each runner was using. The runners also reported on how difficult they felt that their run was.
The results indicated that runners who smiled used less energy and felt that their run was easier, while runners who frowned were less efficient and found their runs more difficult. Next time you take a run, a smile could make it into a breeze!
These are just a few of the ways that smiling can improve your life! Studies have repeatedly shown that smiling, whether you’re feeling happy or not, can impact everything from your perceived attractiveness to your actual, physical capability. And the best part is: It’s so easy to do!
If you’re not happy with your smile, you could be missing out on all the benefits a smile brings. Call (610) 272-0828 or contact us online to make an appointment with a dentist in Blue Bell, PA who can give you a smile you’re proud to show off.
