As I was reading through the article "15 Of The Best And Free Health Benefits Of Smiling," I realized something. Every year, we spend thousands of dollars on gym memberships, vitamins and supplements, healthy foods, medicines, and checkups, which can add up fast. But one thing we do everyday, and is also proven to boost our health, is smile.
In this article, author Charlie Pulsipher list off 15 positive effects smiling has.
Some of the health benefits that Pulsipher lists off intrigue me. For example, health benefit #9 says that smiling increases your attention. I question this a little because if your smiling about something funny, that your friend said right before class, while your taking an AP Psychology test, how does that help you to concentrate on what your doing and focus on the questions on the test? I don't think it does.
I also question health benefit #12. Benefit #12 says that smiling earns you success. I do agree that smiling helps you to appear confident and self-assured, but that is not the only thing that will help you get to the top. Hard-work, dedication, and passion are more likely to get you farther in life than just a small smile.
Another benefit that I question is health benefit #13. Benefit #13 says that smiling is supposed to make you look younger. I agree with this to an extent because although a smile does light up your face, making you look more rejuvenated, it is proven to cause wrinkles as you age. And wrinkles are something no one wants.
The author also differentiates between a real smile and a fake smile. Pulsipher talks about how there is a physical difference between the two smiles and how other people can notice when your smile isn't genuine. He also mentions how even though the two smiles don't look the same on your face, they can still imitate the same psychological and bodily effects.
I will have to continue doing more research to prove whether or not these health benefits are true.
Don't forget to keep smiling!
"You're never fully dressed without a smile." -Annie