Who would like to have the joy and excitment of gaining £16,000!?
The world is going through a challenging time with COVID-19 impacting many lives around the world. We’d like to do our bit and help others by starting our own infection, something that you’ll want to spread to others.
Our emotions are a very basic human function. From an early age, we’re able to smile and frown, laugh and cry. The quickest and most common way of showing these emotions is via our facial expressions.
Although smiling is a simple thing, it stimulates our brain’s reward mechanisms far better than even chocolate, which at this current time can be a challenge to obtain! However, a smile is something that we all have the ability to share or give. British researchers have even found that smiling can be as stimulating as receiving £16,000 cash. Obviously we’re more than happy to receive this and test it.
Here are our top 5 reasons to smile and to smile at others
Smiling relieves stress - This is proving to be a stressful time for many people so if you can make a positive impact on your levels why not put a smile on your face.
Smiling is contagious - The part of your brain that is responsible for controlling the facial expression of smiling is an unconscious automatic response area. We also have a habit of mimicking people which means your smile is contagious
Smiling boosts your immune system - It is thought that when you smile, immune function improves because you are more relaxed thanks to the release of certain neurotransmitters.
Smiling makes us feel good - Smiling releases serotonin into the brain and this is the body's natural feel-good chemical. So if you want to lift your mood, wear a smile or do something that makes you smile.
We are naturally drawn to people who smile, as they are more approachable and friendly. Equally, frowns and scowls have the opposite effect and push people away. So why not turn the frown upside down!
If you want to know more about the power of a smile then we’d suggest watching this TED talk on that very subject.