Today is the day to just smile. That’s right – smile!
Have you ever tried to not smile when a baby or toddler flashes you one of those grins that seems to keep you captivated? It’s basically impossible. Not matter what kind of mood you’re in, you can’t help but feel the pure joy and happiness that comes along with a baby’s smile. It’s truly contagious.
By the same token, however, it can be very difficult to smile when you feel like all you ever do is take care of your baby, toddler, or preschooler. Chores pile up, you feel overwhelmed, and you’re just worn out. It can seem virtually impossible to smile when you feel you’re stuck in the same mundane routines and tasks.
So what do you do? You try to “fake it till you make it,” right? But did you know there’s actual science behind fake and real smiles? When you fake a smile you only activate one muscle group around your mouth. Try it. Fake smile right now.
A real smile, on the other hand, activates those same muscles around your mouth as well as other muscles around your eyes. Feel the difference?
Learning how to make yourself feel better despite what’s going on around you is an inside job. Smiling can quickly help you change your mood, so even if you have to “fake it till you make it” at first, do it! You’ll stimulate your brain, enhance your overall well-being and eventually make it a habit once you practice it enough. Before you know it other people will be doing the same thing just from being around you.
And if that’s not enough, here are some other benefits smiles offer:
- They’re contagious. Smiles beget smiles, and you never who just might be needing that one simple smile to change their whole day.
- They can lower your stress and anxiety.
- They release endorphins — those feel good chemicals in your body.
- They show all of your beauty.
- They make you approachable.
- They make you feel more comfortable with who you truly are.
I know without question there can be challenging and difficult seasons in life, but remembering to smile more often through them helps brighten each day for yourself and everyone around you. And joy can’t help but follow!
May you be the perfectly imperfect mom you were designed to be.
Remind yourself daily SMILE and turn that frown upside down.
If you enjoyed this Smile article of our You Matter Monday’s series, you will also enjoy our Beverage article. Check it out HERE!
