Thoughts on the power of smiling
Posted on May 5th, 2023
Author: Michael McGrath, MHF’s CEO
Our charity’s CEO and Chief Muscle Warrior Michael shares his thoughts on the power of smiling, its positive impact on mental and physical health, and why it can be so contagious … yes, really!
May is National Smile Month and as a charity that is committed to making our beneficiaries smile through our Muscle Dream experiences, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the importance and power of smiling.
As we celebrate 20 years of the Muscle Help Foundation (MHF), we’re proud as a charity to have brought fun, laughter, and smiles to hundreds of families through our charitable work. Making dreams a reality for our beneficiaries living with Muscular Dystrophy (MD) and their families is why we exist, and seeing the smiles on their faces makes everything we do so very worthwhile.
Smiles are incredibly powerful, that’s for sure. Have you ever noticed how powerful a simple smile can be? Smiling is a universal language that can be understood by anyone, regardless of their culture or language. It is a powerful tool that can improve your mental and physical health, help you build better relationships and, wait for it … they can even make you more attractive to others.
In this blog, I will explore the power of smiling, how it can positively impact your life and why making smiles a reality is a fundamental part of our work.
Smiling makes you feel good:
When you smile, your brain releases endorphins, which are natural chemicals that make you feel happy and reduce stress levels. This is why people who smile often are generally happier and more relaxed than those who don’t. Even if you’re feeling down, forcing yourself to smile can help boost your mood and make you feel better – try it, you might be surprised!
Smiling improves your health:
Smiling can have a positive impact on your physical health as well. Studies have shown that people who smile often have lower blood pressure, a stronger immune system, and are less likely to develop heart disease. This is because when you smile, your body releases natural painkillers, reduces stress hormones, and boosts your immune system.
Smiling makes you more approachable and friendly:
People are naturally drawn to those who smile often. When you smile, you appear more friendly, approachable, and confident. A smile can also make you look younger and more attractive (we’ll take that!), which can be beneficial in social and professional settings. In fact, research has shown that people who smile often are perceived as more successful and trustworthy.
Smiling improves your relationships – it’s contagious:
When you smile, you create a positive and welcoming atmosphere that can help build better relationships with others. Smiling is contagious, and when you smile at someone, they are more likely to smile back. This can help break down barriers and create a sense of connection and understanding between people. On all of our Muscle Dream activities, we see a whole lot of smiling; it’s very contagious!
Smiling can make a difference – to you and others:
Finally, even when times may feel difficult and challenging, it’s important to remember that smiling can make a difference in the world. Even if you’re having a bad day or others around you are, a simple smile can brighten someone else’s day and make a positive impact on their life and yours. Whether you’re smiling at a stranger in the street or a loved one at home, your smile has the power to bring joy and happiness into the world.
In Conclusion:
Smiling is a wonderfully powerful tool that can have a positive impact on your mental and physical health, your relationships, and the world around you. So, the next time you’re feeling down, try to smile yourself, even if it’s just for a few seconds. You might be surprised at how much of a difference it can make.
If you would like to see how contagious smiles are, then take a look at some of our beneficiary case studies here where there is no shortage of smiles – as we say, that’s the #powerof657!
Help Us Create More Smiles:
Click the donate button below and help us make many more smiles for children and young people with Muscular Dystrophy – thank you.
