Too many of us think some people are born happy and some aren't
These folks think if you're a Grumpy Gus or a Gloomy Grace, well, that's that.
Sorry, that excuse doesn't work any more. Like so many other things we "knew," this one turns out not to be true.
This will sound too simple, I know, but studies show that all we have to do is start smiling.
Over the years several teams of researchers--at University of California-Berkeley, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a group of psychiatrists in Australia--have arrived at the same conclusion: Smiling is good for us.
Even when we don't start out in a particularly happy mood. Honest.
First we decide to smile and then form our mouths into a big smile. Researchers concluded just that simple action moves our brain activity "in the direction of spontaneous happiness."
That is to say, it's the act of smiling--with or without the mood to match--that influences our brain chemistry and brings feelings of pleasure and happiness.
There's more: Smiling improves our health
Even if we're having a miserable day and feel as if we're faking it.
Researchers say forming our lips into a smile--often--affects several functions of our mind and body in a positive way, including:
- Our sense of well-being and our outlook on life
- The strength of our immune system
- Our blood pressure
- Our self-control
- Our ability to withstand stress
- Even our balance
Smiling also releases endorphins (natural painkillers) and serotonin (a natural anti-depressant.)
Be sure you "smile right"
Way back in the 19th century a French physician, Dr. Duchenne, found the smile that counts is the kind that crinkles the corners of your eyes, which he labeled, "the authentic smile of happiness."
In 2001, UC-Berkeley researchers studied the expressions of a large number of women. They found half the women really smiled and they were the ones who were the ones who were more successful, more contented with their lives and more likely to be married.
Their study was replicated in 2006 by Australian psychiatrists, who reached the same conclusions. They discovered those who smiled only "a mouth smile," a.k.a., a social smile, may not reap the same health benefits.
What does all this mean for you and for me? Smiling--really smiling--is good for our mood and our minds and also good for our health. That's a lot of benefit for a small (and very achievable) effort.
That means we can learn to be happy
This is freedom, my friends! Not one of us is a "prisoner" of whatever temperament we were born with.
You and I are free to choose to:
- Look for the good in people and in every situation
- Smile, really smile, often
- Read and watch on-screen what buoys us up
- Steer clear of individuals who "look for the gloomy side of life"
- Spend time with people who stress what's good and positive
- Encourage others and get the lift that comes from seeing others smile
Sure, there may be people in our lives that don't exactly specialize in spreading joy. They may even be individuals we love and live with. What then?
Here's a place to start: Let go of the tension of trying to change anyone else. (It's not possible, anyway.)
Each of us is responsible only for our moods.
Laughing fosters health, too
Years ago Norman Cousins wrote a book, "Anatomy of an Illness." He had been diagnosed with a painful auto-immune disorder and doctors did not give him a good prognosis. After weeks in the hospital he finally checked himself out and into a nearby motel. Then he had family and friends bring him funny videos.
Over and over he watched "Abbott & Costello," "Candid Camera" and any number of television and movie comedies. He thought of them as his medicine--and they were. Norman Cousins found that after watching an hour or so of such programs--and laughing frequently--his pain went down and he could sleep.
What's more, Norman Cousins confounded his doctors by getting well.
Later, he lectured at medical schools, telling doctors of his experience and urging them to introduce their patients to humor instead of simply increasing their pain medications.
That wouldn't have surprised the writer of Psalms
You may remember that in Psalm 15:13, he wrote,
"A joyful heart is good medicine .... "
God gave David that truth centuries before Norman Cousins or any research on how smiling affects brain chemistry.
No surprise. Of course our Creator knew from the beginning that a joyful heart--and smiling--lifts our mood and improves our outlook on life.
A joyful heart naturally makes for happier relationships. Whatever our age. Whether married or single.
The Apostle Paul spelled it out for us
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8 ESV
Think about these things--and let the rest of it go.
The message is clear: No matter what mood we wake up in let's decide to smile.
Instead of being so quick to nitpick and pounce on what's wrong, let's look for what's good in our everyday lives. Let's learn to laugh at small things--and especially at ourselves.
Besides, who wouldn't rather have laugh lines than frown lines?
Learning, still,
Lenore
