subhanAllah, it's no wonder 'smiling is a sunnah', it not only has (inshaAllah) spiritual blessings but also other worldly benefits. For example, Abel and Kruger (2010) analyzed the longevity of professional baseball players based on their smile intensity. Their results indicated that those players with no smiles lived for an average of 73 years while those with Duchenne smiles lived for an average of 80 years. What a difference smiling can make - living 7 years longer! Secondly, smiling helps release the 'good' hormones. These hormones include: dopamine, endorphins and serotonin. According to Dr. Gupta, dopamine makes us feel happier, while serotonin helps reduce stress. Do you ever have to fake a smile, even though you're not feeling yourself? Yeah, same. Interestingly, researchers from the University of South Australia found that participants who forced a smile stimulated their amygdala (emotions center) thus releasing neurotransmitters in turn promoting a positive state. In a way, smiling tricks your brain into thinking you're happy and can help improve your mental state. Fake it 'til you make it. Smiling not only encourages a positive emotional and mental state, but it can also improve your immune system. Due to some neurotransmitters, smiling makes you more relaxed, it reduces blood pressure and pain and increases important immune cells and antibodies*. (*based on several studies) If the aforementioned points haven't convinced you to smile a little more, maybe this last point will: smiling makes you more attractive. As humans, we are more drawn to those who smile while frowns or scowls may make us draw away from people. Think about it, if you're on a bus, do you sit by someone smiling or someone frowning? Smiling can make people believe you have a great personality, you're more attractive, more youthful and more confident. I know it's hard to fake a smile, especially with the current state of the world, but the benefits are worth it. :) #socialsciencesunday #socialsunday #smile (at SMILE) https://www.instagram.com/p/CVJF6idIs8P/?utm_medium=tumblr
