How Smiling Benefits Us and Those Around Us
Reasons to Smile More Every Day
Do you want to make someone feel better?
Smile at them. This simple act has the power to make another person’s day—and improve our own.
Harper’s Bazaar reported that children smile 400 times a day. Adults average just 20 daily smiles. It’s not hard to understand the difference: As our age increases, so do our stress levels! But we should all make it our mission to smile more. Why? Older adults can experience real physical, mental, and emotional benefits from smiling.
Smiling is contagious. It helps us form social bonds with others. A smile is a non-verbal way of saying hello. It is a simple connection with another person, but you never know how much the person on the receiving end needed that smile.
Smiling changes our mood. It is all too easy to get bogged down in our daily routines, worries, and frustrations. When we choose to be positive and smile, while it might take some effort, we can change our entire mood.
Smiling often goes along with laughter. Laughter is truly the best medicine. According to the Mayo Clinic, positive thoughts can release neuropeptides in our body “that help fight stress and potentially more serious illnesses.” How can you laugh more? Watch a favorite funny movie or sitcom on television, enjoy some YouTube videos from a favorite standup comedian, or simply look for humor in your daily life. We hope you find ways to increase your daily smile count—and add more laughter to your days! If you or a loved one is struggling with feelings of loneliness, isolation, or lack of social connection, please reach out to the PACE team to learn more about our programs for older adults in Cuyahoga County.
