Reasons To Smile
You have heard it before: “Smile, it is good for you.” It turns out that this is very true, and there are reasons to smile even during stressful seasons.
Things become so serious that our smiling face becomes serious or frowns more often. Studies have shown that a cheerful attitude may help prevent colds, flu, and other ailments in your life. Continual unhappiness and stress are bad for your health.
Look for what is still worth noticing
Every day you have reasons to smile. You awoke from your sleep and are blessed with another day. You are breathing. There is a roof over your head and clothes on your back.
Instead of complaining about these important aspects of your life, smile and practice gratitude. People may say, “Yes, but I don’t like my house,” or “I don’t like my clothes,” or “I am not as healthy as I need to be.” On and on it goes until your smile turns into a frown.
Look for reasons to smile in your day. Be thankful for the progress you have made and focus on what you can do today to improve your situation. This can increase happiness and contentment in your life.
For couples, this also matters in daily communication. When both people are stressed, discouraged, or focused only on what is wrong, small moments of warmth can disappear. Couples therapy in Orange County can help partners notice these patterns and rebuild healthier ways to connect.
Change how you respond to stress
The biggest problem you have in your life right now could feel different if you changed how you react to it. Adjust your attitude and smile. Recognize that this too shall pass and that you will overcome.
You cannot control others, people, or situations, but you can control the way you react to the world. This is beneficial for health and well-being because it takes the pressure off. Let go and let God, and of course, smile.
If you find yourself in the blues and say, “I don’t have anything to smile about,” I am here to tell you that you do. Without even knowing each reader of this article, I guarantee that you have something to smile about.
I challenge you to search within to find your child-like happiness, challenge negative thoughts and situations, and smile. Enjoy the journey and life lessons. See the good in every situation and circumstance. It is there, if you look.
Small ways to lift a blue mood
- Move your body. Go for a walk, stretch, clean, dance, or do anything that gets you out of stillness. Oftentimes, your mind will change afterward.
- Smile. The nerves in your facial muscles tell your brain that you are happy. Fake it until you make it.
- Spend less time with complainers, doubters, and people who are just plain cranky. Their mood can affect yours, because apparently, misery enjoys recruiting.
- Focus on the positive. Find it in every situation. Your brain will automatically begin to do this after a while.
- Make good times last longer. Plan things you enjoy ahead of time. Thinking about things you like can brighten your day and your mood.
When it feels hard to smile again
Most people have some days when they feel down, but being able to address the feelings and let them go in a short time is the key. No more “bad days.” Bad moments, okay, but no more bad days. Life is too short and our days are precious.
Happiness is not an accident. Happy people are the ones who have determined in their hearts that this is going to be a good day. Smile, it is good for you.
If you find yourself unable to smile or lift yourself out of the blues, please seek help. To take the next step, schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation.
