If you’ve ever met with a doctor during your adult life, you know many of the traditional recommendations for leading a healthy life—eat more fruits and vegetables, stay active, drink water, get plenty of sleep. But one thing your doctor may not mention that can help is smiling more often.
Showing your pearly whites may seem like a simple, superficial action, but in reality it has a significant impact on your mind and body. Continue reading to learn three ways smiling makes it easier to live healthier.
Smiling Boosts Your Mental Health
You already know innately that you smile when you’re happy, but did you know that the act of smiling can actually help you feel happier? When you grin, whether naturally or purposefully, your brain has a very similar reaction—it produces hormones that give your mood a boost. In other words, even you don’t feel like smiling, it may help you overcome a bad mood to put on a happy face!
In addition, research reveals over and over again the power of a positive attitude and mindset on a person’s well-being and performance. As a result, smiling despite the circumstances can help you live a better, more rewarding life.
Smiling Lowers Your Stress Levels
When you enter a stressful situation, your body reacts: your heart rate quickens, your blood pressure rises, and your senses heighten. Every now and then, stress doesn’t negatively impact your body, but if you feel stress on a regular basis, it can increase your risk of cardiovascular events like a heart attack or stroke.
Fortunately, studies report that smiling helps to regulate your pulse, meaning that if you grin after feeling overwhelmed or frazzled, it can play a role in bringing you back to a healthier, less stressful state.
Smiling Strengthens Your Immune System
One study found that those who smile more regularly tend to have more white blood cells, which are primarily responsible for combating certain infections, than those who smile infrequently. These days, you should take advantage of every opportunity to build up your immune system. When you smile as well as make other healthy choices, your body becomes more protected from illness.
Although you certainly should follow your physician’s advice for a healthy life, don’t forget to smile often. It’ll help people around feel good, and it benefits you too! Knowing how important the act of grinning is, you should take care of your teeth and gums so they are ready to show them off as frequently as possible. On top of at-home care every day, scheduled visits with your dentist can make sure you feel confident in smiling.
About the Practice
Dr. Alexis Gersten and Dr. Jason Parli have been practicing dentistry at Beach Dental for more than 20 years. Serving the East Quogue, Westhampton, Manorville, East Moriches, and Westhampton Beach areas, they are happy to care for patients with services ranging from regular checkups and cleanings to total tooth replacement. If you would like to schedule an appointment at Beach Dental, just contact us online or call the office at 631-325-0731.