Contents:
- Medical Video: What makes a good life? Lessons from the longest study on happiness | Robert Waldinger
- Smiles are contagious
- Smiles can affect the way the brain works
- Smiles also have a positive effect on appearance
Medical Video: What makes a good life? Lessons from the longest study on happiness | Robert Waldinger
In religion, smile is considered as worship. And people say, cheap smile makes you happy. Then is it true that smile makes you happy? What is his view on science? What happens to the brain if you smile often? The good news is that smiles actually have an influence on how your brain works
Smiles are contagious
Smiles are said to be transmitted. Yes, this classic statement you may often hear from your parents at home or teacher when you are still in elementary school. But it is indeed contagious.
Just try to pay attention if someone is smiling at you - whether intentional or not - you will also reply to his smile. At that time you could say "infected" by the smile of the person who gave his smile to you. Without your realizing it, starting from the smile you do, from there your happiness begins to form.
Actually, a smile is considered to be contagious due to nerve stimulation that automatically arises when someone sees someone else smile. The aroused nerves will signal the facial muscles to form a smile on your face.
Smiles can affect the way the brain works
Have you ever tried holding a pencil with your teeth? Some studies suggest that these activities make the muscles around the mouth and face contract, and can make you happy. But, you don't need to bother doing that. It's easy, because the activity is the same as when you smile.
Without you knowing, there is actually a party that is happening in your brain, if you are smiling - no matter whether the smile is contagious or not. Yes, the brain will naturally activate the nerve center that regulates human emotions and a sense of happiness.
This is how it starts: a smile activates the release of neuropeptides - namely small molecules that mediate between nerve cells to communicate - to relieve stress. Not only stress, neuropeptides also bridge the emotions and feelings you feel. Through all these neuropeptides, all organs of the body will know if there is a change in mood, whether it's sad, angry, or excited.
Then, as you smile the hormone dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins - called happy hormones - are also released. This release causes the heart rate to decrease, the body relaxes, and lowers blood pressure. In addition, endorphins are also known as natural pain relievers that the body has and there are no side effects if the levels increase.
Not only that, serototin is known as an anti-depressant drug that is effective in treating your stress and depression. And still, these substances are natural substances that your body produces itself.
Smiles also have a positive effect on appearance
One reason why smiles make you happy is that smiling can change your appearance in public for the better. Do not believe? A study from Scotland has even proven it.
In the study the researchers found that men or women would be more interested if they saw someone who smiled compared to other facial expressions. In fact, almost all respondents smiled back when they saw other people smile. This goes back to the statement that smiles can be transmitted and transmitted.
