This isn’t the first time I’ve touched upon the incredible happiness smiling can bring, but it’s a topic worth revisiting every day!
Today I fell upon a TED Talk posted by Louisa Jewell of Positive Matters that I’m excited to share with you. In it, Ron Gutman likens smiling to a superpower that studies have shown can confer a variety of health benefits, from reducing the effects of mild-to-moderate depression, to increasing life expectancy and lowering blood pressure. In fact, according to Gutman, “Smiling stimulates our brain reward mechanism in a way that even chocolate, a well regarded pleasure inducer, cannot match.”
At roughly seven minutes in length, this video is the perfect lunch break (or any break!) pick-me-up.
[ted id=1143]
Here’s a link to the video as presented on TED’s website with a full transcript of Gutman’s talk.
Today, make an effort to take inventory of the good that surrounds you rather than the bad. Take a moment to reflect on what you’re thankful for. If you’re still feeling down, “fake it till you make it” by smiling anyway. You might be surprised by how your mood improves!
xoxo- Kristin
You are very welcome!