Motivation Monday: Smile

Have you ever been in a bad mood and then you heard a joke or watched a funny video on You Tube and started to laugh?  What happened to your mood?  It is impossible to be in a bad mood and smile / laugh at the same time.

Everyone knows that a smile is contagious.  If you are around happy people, it is more difficult to be in a crappy mood.  If you hear a baby laugh, you can’t help but crack up!  It is a natural reaction.  Just look at this photo and tell me that it doesn’t make you smile…..

According to Psychology Today,

Smiling activates the release of neuropeptides that work toward fighting off stress (3). Neuropeptides are tiny molecules that allow neurons to communicate. They facilitate messaging to the whole body when we are happy, sad, angry, depressed, excited. The feel good neurotransmitters dopamine, endorphins and serotonin are all released when a smile flashes across your face as well (4). This not only relaxes your body, but it can lower your heart rate and blood pressure.

The endorphins also act as a natural pain reliever – 100% organically and without the potential negative side effects of synthetic concoctions (4).

Finally, the serotonin release brought on by your smile serves as an anti-depressant/mood lifter (5). Many of today’s pharmaceutical anti-depressants also influence the levels of serotonin in your brain, but with a smile, you again don’t have to worry about negative side effects – and you don’t need a prescription from your doctor.

So next time you are having a bad day, turn on You Tube and find a funny video of babies laughing and it will cheer you right up!!  Homework for today….Go find someone to smile at, or better yet make them laugh, and help them to have a better day!