I wouldn’t ask anyone to walk around with an inauthentic smile plastered on his or her face. I know that when I don’t feel like smiling I certainly don’t. But I’m learning more and more about how we can be happy even when we don’t feel like being happy. And it all begins with a smile.
According to Psychology Today, smiling activates the release of neuropeptides that work toward fighting off stress. Neuropeptides are molecules that allow neurons to communicate. The feel good neurotransmitters dopamine, endorphins and serotonin are all released when a smile flashes across your face and this relaxes your body and can lower your heart rate and blood pressure.
As you can now see, smiling leads to happiness and happiness leads to good health.
The Greater Good Science Center promotes the science of happiness and the ongoing health benefits, including:
- Happiness protects your heart;
- Happiness strengthens your immune system;
- Happiness combats stress;
- Happy people have fewer aches and pains;
- Happiness combats disease and disability.
Shall I keep going? Smiling leads to happiness and happiness also leads to career benefits. According to happiness expert, Shawn Achor, success doesn’t lead to happiness but the other way around. See his Ted Talk here.
So let’s think twice about the long-term effects of smiling. If it only takes a second to smile and that can (in a round about way) lead to long-term career success, then I’m certainly beginning to think twice about the power of a smile. It only takes a second. I’m in. Are you?
How to Be Career Happy? Strive To Be Happy