Dr. Gore won a “Dentist of the Year” award, and all he got was a little plaque. Did we just make you smile? Perhaps laugh out loud?
If so, then we’re glad you’re here because today we’re talking about how smiling positively affects you! Let’s cover the actual science on how smiling and laughter affect your relationships and work.
How Smiling Affects Your Mental Health
Let’s get down to the science of smiling. When you smile, your brain releases neuropeptides to fight off stress, and the “feel-good neurotransmitters—dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin—are all released when a smile flashes across your face.” Endorphins are a natural pain reliever, and the release of serotonin gives you an instant mood boost.
There’s good news even if you aren’t feeling it right now. If you “fake” a smile when you’re stressed or down, your brain will still register the action and release those feel-good neurotransmitters anyway.
How Smiling Affects Your Relationships
You walk into a dental practice and notice 2 dentists. One is smiling and the other looks a bit stressed or tired. Which one do you gravitate toward? The one smiling, of course!
We are naturally drawn to those who smile, as they seem open and inviting. Here at Midlothian Dental Center, we provide our patients with the experience and smile they deserve from the second they walk through our doors.
How Smiling Affects Your Work
Think about the times you were having a really good day at work. Were you more productive on those days? That’s no coincidence! Smiling and laughter have a direct impact on how productive you are at work, which is why we wanted to share a few tips on how to be happier when you're punching the clock.
Tip #1: Keep your space as de-cluttered as possible.
Tip #2: Take breaks and practice mindful meditation. The Headspace app is a great resource!
Tip #3: Save any nice comments from your friends or colleagues on post-it notes, where you can always reference them and remember you are appreciated. Don’t forget to write yourself a post-it for future reference too, making note of any occasion when you’re proud of yourself.
When you’re happier you take better care of yourself, you’re more involved in your relationships, and you’re better equipped to handle outside stressors. We believe that the secret to staying young is to smile and laugh as much as humanly possible!
Pssst... if you have yet to book your first cleaning and checkup appointment for 2022, give us a call today to schedule (804)794-4588. We’ll always greet you with a smile!
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