SMILE FACTOR: Happiness (c) by Polly Guerin

People don’t seem to smile enough these days. I can just feel the tension building up and it’s only 8 a.m., and everyone is rushing to work and their faces are devoid of the inner light of smiling as they pursue a new day. Yet, when you smile, it lightens your mood, helps you to buffer an awkward situation, and invites you to make new friends. Most of all smiling improves your happiness and attracts more positive vibes into your life. Smiling also crosses all borders and when you are in another country people generally respond to tourists who smile. It sends a message that you are friendly and non-threatening.

THE POSITIVE VIBE When you smile your body and mind are sending positive vibes to you that everything is okay, life is great, and it help you to alleviate feeling down and depressed. So even when you’re alone practice smiling more and continue during the day to spread happiness vibes to everyone you meet. I’ve heard people say, “Isn’t she a nice person,” all because you brightened their day with your generosity, the gift of a smile, which at the same time it makes you feel great too.

A CHEERY SMILE Makes you appear younger because your whole face lights up, your eyes glow, your cheeks get a natural uplift and your whole countenance is one of youthful vigor. Don’t ever force it, a fake smile doesn’t work. Just think of pleasant things, conjure up a recent happy celebration, a present that amazed you, a compliment that gave you reason to feel appreciated; and smile.

A MOMENT OF KINDNESS There are many opportunities to be spontaneous and engage in an unexpected moment of kindness that garners smiles for everyone. If your basket is full at the checkout counter, let the person behind you with one item go before you, when you purchase a newspaper from the old guy on the corner let him keep the change, send an encouraging note card to a needy friend and watch smiles beam at the other end.

WEAR CLOTHES THAT SMILE Black may be sophisticated, but when I see an entire wardrobe in the gloomy shade I think funeral. Instead choose colors that represent the color of happiness. Blue is a heavenly color and has a calming effect, while red glares and may insight anger. Warm colors like yellow and orange are friendlier choices and should be incorporated into your wardrobe as a signal that you are friendly and that your smile is genuine.

SMILING MAY NOT MAKE MAJOR ISSUES GO AWAY; IT JUST HELPS TO EASE THE PAIN. SMILING HAS HEALTH BENEFITS, TOO AND CAN MAKE YOU FEEL MUCH BETTER EMOTIONALLY BECAUSE IT RELEASES ENDORPHINS, BRAIN CHEMICALS THAT HELP TO INCREASE HOUR FEELING OF CONTENTMENT. SO, AS THEY SAY “SMILE THOUGH YOUR HEART IS BREAKING,” remember those feeling are only temporary. DON’T LET THEM BE SETBACKS, INSTEAD SMILE YOUR WAY THROUGH EVERY DAY’S CHALLENGES.