Smile... And The Whole World Smiles With You.

I'm a firm believer in smiling bright and smiling often. It brings a cheery joy to the soul.... a real feel good feel.

How often do you smile? Research shows the average adult smiles 15 - 20 times a day compared to around 400 times a child smiles... and there is the answers as to why kids are so happy and carefree. Something in that for us all.

Did you know that the act of a single smile lowers the blood pressure, reduces stress, reduces pain and releases your feel good hormones endorphins, serotonin and dopamine which leaves you feeling calm and more relaxed. When you smile you also appear more attractive and confident... no one wants to be around a sour-faced grumpy-bum!

There is great truth in the saying 'Smile and the whole world smiles with you'.
We live in a highly stressed society, full of uncertainty, drama and fear based scenarios. No matter how challenging life is there is ALWAYS something to smile about... smiling at even the smallest thing will have benefit. It is often the smallest things that can bring you the greatest joy.

So what are some ways that you can get some more 'Smiles into your life?'

Take in the sunshine. If you are able to sit in some sunshine each day, do so (be sun safe slip, slop, slap). Sunshine is a natural mood booster, the sun's rays have a naturally boosting effect on us.

According to research sunlight has a direct effect on the chemical response in the brain that is related to our mood. Serotonin is released in high levels which elevates our mood and produces feelings of calmness and feeling good.
The good old belly laugh. Making others laugh is a great way to get the 'goodies' flowing. When others laugh we laugh. If you've made others laugh, you feel good. And as a side bar, we need to be able to at ourselves, to take ourselves lightly and to not be so serious. Okay where was I... You don't have to be a stand up comedian, although i have done this and it was a horrendous feeling all round I must say. It can be sharing a funny experience with friends from the past or a funny you-tube video can really get a good old belly laugh happening...so much goodness!

Watch a good Comedy. If you find yourself in a gloomy mood, or the weather is miserable (that can have a real downer effect), pop on a laugh out loud comedy and bring some fun and lightness back. Remember as soon as you laugh, your mood will automatically shift.

Talk it out. Sometimes a good old chin-wag is whats needed. Sitting with a loved one or a friend, talking out what you need to get off your chest; revisiting funny memories... think about what makes you both laugh. You'll be surprised how an hour of chatting and laughing can change your mood and leave you in the feel good state for hours later.

Cuddle time. Sharing a good solid cuddle with a loved one, including a furry loved one, will automatically bring a smile to your dial. During the cuddle there is an exchange of an energy and leaves us feeling warm and fuzzy. A great way to add brightness to your day..... ADD how long a cuddle needs to be and how many per day for greatest effect.

Random Acts of Kindness. When we do for another without expectation of something in return gives real purpose and joy. Making someones day, makes us feel happy in the knowledge we can help someone else. Whether a random act of kindness or some charitable work, see happiness from someone else as a result of our actions has the secondary pay off, of making us feel good. Anytime we can serve another, taking the focus off ourselves, this payoff will happen.

Giving Gratitude. This is a fantastic way to evoke feeling better. Start a gratitude journal writing 3-5 things a day that you are grateful for, that have worked well, that have made you happy. This is a habit that you can build every time. Gratitude has been shown time and time again to be a powerful force in creating positive, optimism and upbeat feelings and generally long term. It helps you look at the good things in life, instead of focusing on the bad things or what may have not gone right.

Building a strong reference log for happiness will remind you of the good things that have bought a smile to your face, those times you have had a kind deed fro a colleague, a fun time in the park with your pet, the first time your love told you they loved you.

Every person needs to and deserves a smile. Whenever there is stress or heaviness, the quickest and easiest way to change that feeling is to smile. Smiling brings with it a positive energy that is contagious. So go ahead, smile and have the while world smiling with you. Now that is 'Smile Worthy'.