I recently came across a great (and random) study that I had to share with you. It has nothing to do with diet or nutrition, but everything to do with general well being, so I wanted to share it with you. We all know that our mood can have an impact on our well-being, our choices, and our actions.
But did you know that studies show that SMILING might actually help IMPROVE your mood on-demand!?
A team of psychologists from the University of Tennessee recently reviewed more than 138 studies that followed more than 11,000 people – and they found that our facial expressions can have a big impact on our emotions. And it’s not just smiling. If you frown you are more likely to feel increased sadness, and scowling can make you feel increased anger.
The study, which was published in the health journal Psychological Bulletin, is the latest in a minor controversy involving facial expressions and mood. Even though folk and conventional wisdom has long said that smiling can help you you feel happier, psychologists haven’t agreed. While the researchers said that you can’t necessarily smile your way to happiness, it definitely can have an impact on your mood. Pretty awesome stuff.
Give it a try RIGHT NOW! In fact, no matter how silly or weird it seems, let’s see those pearly whites! Give me a GIANT SMILE right now and hold it for 10 seconds. 😁 Feel any different?!
Now, no one is suggesting that you ignore or cover up real problems or unhappiness by smiling, but if you’re simply having a garden-variety bad day, it can’t hurt to try to turn your mood around with a smile. I find it similar to practicing gratefulness. God gave us some practical tools that can impact our mental health, even a simple act of choosing to smile. And of course… throw in a great mood-boosting workout, and you’re golden! You may know one of my favorite expressions -
You're Only One Workout Away From a Good Mood!
I hope you have the kind of day that puts a smile on your face! 😊