The act of smiling makes you happy. Even when you fake it and feel stressed or angry or anxious. It’s as easy as that. In yesterday’s post I told you that smiling causes a shift in your body AND in how you feel. Let’s discuss other aspects of the mind-body connection.
“People also smile when they are miserable.” ― Paul Ekman
Worldly renowned psychologist Paul Ekman, is the researcher and author best known for furthering our understanding of nonverbal behaviour, encompassing facial expressions and gestures.
In his early research he demonstrated that
a) thinking about an event to generate a feeling as well as
b) only producing a facial expression of that feeling has an impact on your body.
When participants of the study ‘Voluntary facial action generates emotion-specific autonomic nervous system activity’ put a smile on their faces their heart rate fell and their skin temperature increased.
A fearful expression had the opposite effect.
Practice smiling!
The simple act of smiling fosters reactions in your body and in your mind that will enhance your well-being dramatically if you PRACTICE and EXPERIENCE it regularly and let it become a habitual way of acting and reacting!
Small changes can have a huge impact to our lives. That’s why I invite you to actually experience the effect of the above with your own mindbody.
YOUR TURN NOW
- Give yourself a lapse of time: a day or two, a week if you’re bold
- Make a ‘contract’ with yourself: whenever you’ll feel X (add your feeling, e.g. frustrated or upset or overwhelmed), I’ll take a deep breath and start to smile (mouth and eyes!)
- I’ll hold this smile at least 20 seconds or more – fake it til you make it.
- Feel how your body relaxes
- Choose happiness!
This post is part of a 30 day blogging challenge.
I’d love to know how it went when you tried this out. Thanks for leaving a comment below.
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Combining professional experiences in communication, project management and public health with scientific research around mind-body wellbeing, effective time management, goal achievement and happiness she supports you to harness your sensitivities and play to your strengths.
Working with her allows you to complete your mission and to always have time for the things and people that matter most.
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I agree Patricia, its amazing how when you smile you are more likely to notice the things you have to smile about.
Yes Jenny, great remark, I thank you. Changing the muscles in our face affects, our body, our feelings and our perception.
Wish you a happy day, Patricia
Patricia Mauerhofer recently posted…Spread Love – use chopsticks (2/30)
Twitter: Nicky Claydon
on 13/09/2014 at 20:14
One of my favourite things is Smiling Patricia. Always turns a bad day into a good day if you can find something to smile about 🙂
Nicky Claydon recently posted…Do you need to consider a Plan B?
Absolutely Nicky, thank you for sharing! And it’s so easy once you know that you can actually do something and feel better in an instant! You made me smile 🙂
Patricia Mauerhofer recently posted…Spread Love – use chopsticks (2/30)