No matter what you’re doing right now, SMILE! Even faking it can trick your body into believing everything is peachy while releasing endorphins and serotonin (natural pain and stress relievers).
The muscles used to smile are connected to how the brain elevates the mood. Making a conscious choice to be happy increases the ability to think holistically, lowers blood pressure, boosts immunity and has a positive effect on the environment and people around us. And it’s really fun.
Protect yourself and those you love from the evil stress monster by simply being happy! “Jumping for joy is good exercise!” It helps us operate at a higher frequency and eliminates fear and anxiety.
“Be happy, and a reason will come along.” -Robert Brault
Did you know we have as many as 60,000 thoughts each day?? These can uplift us or bring us down depending on our perspective towards them. Which ones do you want to follow?
Abraham Lincoln said, “Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.”
It’s not realistic to be happy all the time but having a positive attitude sure helps shift our world. Smiling is oh so sexy, too. One study found that nearly 70% of people saw women as more attractive when they smile than when they wore make-up. Phenomenal physiological changes happen not only in ourselves when we smile, but also in people who see us smile!
“The eyes & mouth are powerful weapons that everyone is equipped with at birth. When used for good, this weapon can exert a significant amount of health and happiness on the smiler and recipient. So become the center of a positive change ripple. Squeeze your zigomatic major, squint your orbicularis oculi, and if you really want to get things flowing … expose your teeth!”
Research revealed that after participants were shown pictures of smiling people, their brain and heart activity was equivalent to being given the stimulation of 2,000 chocolate bars! Smiles are a natural and free drug. Puff puff pass!
Secrets to being happy:
*Be grateful! Anthony Robbins says,”When you are grateful, fear disappears and abundance appears.” That guy is always smiling!
*Forgive! (This includes yourself!) “Holding a grudge is like letting someone live rent-free in your head.” Oprah said, “True forgiveness is when you can say, “Thank you for that experience.” Cool.
*Surround yourself with happy people. It’s contagious. It will change your life. Happy people tend to have better relationships, are more creative and inspiring, sleep better, and are way more fun to be around! Optimists live longer, too. (Sincere THANK YOU to all the happy people in my life!)
*Laugh a lot! It reduces cortisol (stress hormone) and it’s a great energy boost! It’s also wonderful for the lungs and burns calories!
*Don’t do this- “I will be happy when…” or “I would be happier if…”
*Be compassionate. “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” -Dalai Lama
“There is no way to happiness – HAPPINESS IS THE WAY!!” ~Thich Nhat Hanh