A smile is such a simple expression, and yet it can have a huge impact on mood, relationships and even confidence.
Most people rarely consider how much they smile, and our Melbourne Orthodontists have delivered over 5,000 dream smiles and counting using clear aligners, we’d like to think we know a thing or two about the many perks on offer!
Whether you’re naturally smiley or great at faking it, you can still benefit from the physical, mental and social benefits.
Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of smiling, and explore how you can feel more confident in your own smile.
The Benefits of Smiling
There are plenty of reasons to smile, but what are the benefits for your mind and body?
Boosts Mood
Smiling is a proven mood-booster. It triggers the release of endorphins, serotonin and dopamine, that help us to feel happier and reduce stress.
These feel good chemicals can even help as a natural painkiller. This means you’re not only feeling better by smiling, you can also fight off mild discomfort that can dampen your good mood.
Enhances Relationships
A smile is contagious. When others are happy and laughing, it’s hard not to smile too.
Those who smile a lot often have better connections and develop stronger relationships with those around them. The positive atmosphere that smiling creates benefits everyone in a room and develops these connections that are built on happy memories.
Improves Health
As well as its mental health benefits, smiling can have perks that help with physical wellbeing.
The stress reducing benefits of a smile help to control blood pressure, lower heart rate and generally help the body to better manage symptoms associated with heightened stress levels.
Smiling surprisingly can also help to boost the immune system thanks to the reduction of stress hormones and increase in the production of antibodies and white blood cells.
Makes You More Approachable
Those who smile often radiate warmth and approachability, making it easier to start and maintain conversations in both personal and professional settings.
Social gatherings and conversations in which involved parties are smiling are typically more engaging and more memorable, helping to form those lasting connections with others.
In work settings, smiling can help to develop important relationships and create valuable connections. Acquaintances are much more likely to remember and seek out those who they remember having enjoyable discussions with.
If you want to make a lasting impression and want others to feel like you’re approachable, you might be able to spark a conversation with a smile.
Shows Confidence
One of the huge benefits of smiling is that it can show how confident you feel in yourself and your own ability.
It’s a small action that can gain trust and make others feel comfortable. After all, if you feel confident in yourself, others can mirror that confidence back to you, creating more comfortable social interactions.
Feel More Confident About Your Own Smile
So with these benefits in mind, how can you feel confident about your own smile?
It can be easy to see a perfect smile and want to hide yours, but the truth is that no matter how self-conscious you may feel, the benefits of smiling far outweigh the drawbacks.
Struggling with confidence in your smile? We can help! Our experienced team of Melbourne orthodontists use a personalised treatment plan using clear aligners to help you feel confident in your smile again.
Start your smile journey today. Book a free consultation at one of our Urban Smile studios.
Dream Smiles, Done Right™
References
Cross MP, Acevedo AM, Leger KA, Pressman SD. How and why could smiling influence physical health? A conceptual review. Health Psychol Rev. 2023 Jun;17(2):321-343. doi: 10.1080/17437199.2022.2052740. Epub 2022 Mar 23. PMID: 35285408.
Tracy, Jessica & Beall, Alec. (2011). Happy Guys Finish Last: The Impact of Emotion Expressions on Sexual Attraction. Emotion (Washington, D.C.). 11. 1379-87. 10.1037/a0022902.
R.D. (2000). Neural correlates of conscious emotional experience. In R.D. Lane & L. Nadel (Eds.), Cognitive neuroscience of emotion (pp. 345–370). New York: Oxford University Press.
Strean WB. Laughter prescription. Can Fam Physician. 2009 Oct;55(10):965-7. PMID: 19826144; PMCID: PMC2762283.