There are many powerful reasons to smile. Smiling will make you feel happier and reduce your stress levels. It can help you appear friendlier and more attractive. Some research shows it can even boost your immune system and enable you to live longer.
You could wait for something pleasant to happen that will put a smile on your face. However, with all these benefits in mind, you can also speed the process along. Start with these easy ways to make yourself smile.
Smile Because You Feel Good
You’re more likely to smile when you’re feeling strong and fit. Invest in your health and wellbeing. Take time each day to nurture yourself.
Try these activities:
Eat healthy. Plan nutritious meals and snacks full of whole foods. Eat lots of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Limit added sugar and salt.
Exercise regularly. Stay active. Find a variety of workouts that you enjoy, so you’ll want to stick with them.
Sleep well. Make sleep a top priority. Go to bed at around the same time each night. Keep your bedroom dark and quiet.
Spend time outdoors. Green spaces tend to lift our spirits. Have a picnic at a local beach or park. Hang a bird feeder in your backyard. Spend your weekend camping or mountain climbing.
Listen to music. Create soundtracks you can listen to while exercising or doing household chores. Sing along with your favorite tunes or experiment with new genres.
Get a hobby. Doing something you love helps you to achieve flow, a feeling of being fully engaged and energized. Think about your childhood pastimes or browse magazines for ideas. Maybe you’ll want to paint landscapes or play bocce ball.
Take breaks. Pausing throughout the day reduces stress and increases your productivity. Slow down to drink a cup of tea or stroll around the block.
Smile Because You’re Spreading Happiness
Being generous can give you a warm glow on the inside and a big smile on the outside. Look for opportunities to share your blessings.
Spread some happiness with these activities:
Listen closely. A little attention can delight someone as much as any expensive gift. Show that you’re interested in what others have to say. Make eye contact and validate their feelings.
Volunteer your services. Support worthy causes. Walk dogs at a local shelter or tutor high school students. You can research opportunities through organizations like VolunteerMatch or DoSomething.
Help your neighbors. Offer to help disabled and elderly neighbors with their grocery shopping or yard work. Introduce yourself to new families and host activities for children.
Throw a party. Extend your hospitality. Start a tradition of monthly potlucks or annual barbecues. Introduce your friends to each other.
Share your creative output. Bring baked goods to the office or a homeless shelter. Make photo frames or scented candles if you prefer crafts to cooking.
Write a letter. When was the last time you received a personal letter? Brighten someone’s day with a handwritten note, especially children and seniors.
Buy local. Many small businesses are struggling. Help them out by buying from neighborhood shops and restaurants whenever possible. Post positive reviews online and tell your family and friends about your favorite finds.
Form a circle. Invite others to join you in being philanthropic. A giving circle lets you pool your money and other resources to support projects that you care about.
Other Activities to Make You Smile
Make some popcorn and enjoy a funny movie or TV show.
Go to a comedy club.
Tell a joke.
Play a harmless and funny prank.
Learn to juggle.
Play with puppies, kittens, or other pets.
Write 3 funny things that happened today in your journal.
Learn to do card tricks or magic tricks and show off your skills.
Enjoy a backwards dinner, with dessert first.
Play with your kids and let them choose the activity.
Take a personal day to do whatever you feel like doing.
Take a nap.
Put on some music and dance like nobody’s watching.
Read a funny book.
Perform Random Acts of Kindness.
Try to do a skill again that you enjoyed as a child, like roller skating, ice skating, or sledding.
Who else wants a free and simple way to increase your chances of leading a longer, healthier, and happier life? It can be as easy as developing habits that will make you want to smile more often!
To Your Continued Success!
Always Leading Up,
Stephanie