Secret to Happiness is a Happy Heart
Did you know that smiles are as contagious as influenza? It’s impossible to walk past someone who beams at you without grinning back. Scientists even believe that smiling helps you live longer, as it reduces stress. It’s one of the few gifts you can give out for free, to every single person in the world. It is good for you, and has NO negative side to it!
In psychology, there is a theory entitled the “facial feedback” hypothesis. This hypothesis states that “involuntary facial movements provide sufficient peripheral information to drive emotional experience” (Bernstein, 2000). Davis and Palladino explain that “feedback from facial expression affects emotional expression and behavior” (2000). In simple terms, you may actually be able to improve your mood by simply smiling.
Imagine that? By faking a smile, even when you feel low, you can trick your brain into feeling more positive. Not only that, but smiles can be passed on more easily than yawning, just by grinning at people. I’m not suggesting you walk around beaming like a maniac (that could get you in to trouble in some bars), but how about trying a smile experiment, and seeing how many you can catch from people in one day?
Let me start you off…here are some things you can do to put yourself in the right frame of mind:
- Imagine your favourite memory as a child – was it jumping in puddles, climbing a tree, or simply skipping down the road? Recapture that feeling right now
- Read some great jokes or a really uplifting story, and keep that warm glow with you all day
- Be stupid. Silliness is purely and simply there to make people smile. We can’t help responding to people who are childish and funny, leaving their inhibitions behind to share some joy.
- Bounce on your bed, buy some sunflowers, and tell someone you love them or take a skip in the rain – whatever you need to do today to generate the most smiles!
I’ve decided it’s time to make smiles more widely available to everyone, so I’m starting a Happy product page, where you can get hold of exclusive Happy items which remind you to stay cheerful. Our logo will serve as a positive affirmation as you go about your day, and may even encourage people around you to smile back.
Imagine if we could set up a global network of smiles, which reached from one end of the world to the other?
Nothing cheers you up like seeing a broad smile. Now you can awaken your own happiness by seeing it in print, with Happy products. Wear our logo with pride, knowing that you are a unique, confident person, full of self-reliance and ready to take on the world. The smile will anchor your energy and confidence, and when people comment on your t-shirt or cap, you can spread the Happy Movement.
Let’s take the first step to creating a world of smiles, through our global happiness network – visit the page, and Rate Me Happy!
To your happiness within
Debbie
Twitter: thatgirlisfunny
says:
Well, you certainly made me smile today. I’d love to have you sending these happy links into my stay young blog carnival. Check the link below to see my latest edition and for info on how to submit your posts. Your posts will fit in perfectly!
.-= Cheryl@stay young´s last blog ..How to Stay Young – Have a Good Laugh and a Long Sleep =-.
Thanks Cheryl for the invite. I shall see if I can figure out how to do just that. Love the way you have of making everyone feel right at home and happy. You are a jewel.
Debbie
Twitter: raymond8
says:
Smile to people each day and you’ll be amazed by the effect.
.-= Raymond Chua´s last blog ..The Science of Getting Rich =-.
It is really cool, isn’t it Raymond?
Debbie
I was very pleased to find this site.I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post.
Thank you for book marking me. Hope I can keep you giving you post that increase your happiness.
Debbie
Hi Debbie,
It’s always nice to see your HAPPY series of posts because it makes me smile more! If you could just imagine how my big smile would look like.
And, yes stupidity in a good way adds laughter in every sad areas of life – oh well, I still play remote control airplanes until now and I enjoy it!
In the end, that’s how we should be dealing life – we should be like children who just have to smile, play and look onto positive areas of things even if life has a lot of challenges.
Thanks Debbie for reminding me that,
Tyrone
.-= Tyrone´s last blog ..Vera Raposo from Small Business Branding interviews Tyrone Shum =-.
Thanks Tyrone. Those remote control airplanes can be fun, I’m glad to hear that you love playing with them. Sometimes we do need that kid in us to enjoy life a little more. I don’t have an airplane to fly, but maybe I’ll just go fly a kite for today or swing in the park.
Keep up the big smiles and i will try to to my part in giving you something that will make the smiling easier.
Have a wonderful happy day,
Debbie
Hi Debbie,
I really enjoyed this post. I find that being silly and having a laugh with myself always makes me feel lighter and happier just with the freedom of expression. Not holding in anything that annoys you instead just letting it out or having a chuckle and a laugh at yourself for doing something wrong or not quite right. Or completely random!
Really enjoyed the post Thank you. I look forward to more
Richard
Hi Richard,
Thanks Richard. I try to make a habit out of laughing every day. You are right when you say the freedom of expression. That is exactly what laughter is. Very well put.
Debbie
Thanks for exposing such valuable info as it will be of great use for my older daughter.
You are very welcome. When it comes to children I know from my own experience that as a parent we can tell them something and we don’t know what we are talking about, but someone else can tell them the same thing and they hear it and believe it.
Glad I could help and have a very happy day.
Debbie
I gotta get one of my older boys to read this. Maybe he’ll actually try a smile once in a while! Thanks, Debbie.
.-= Amy LeForge´s last blog ..Anger Issues =-.
You are welcome Amy. You really need to pat yourself on the back Amy. There are some parents out there that wouldn’t even realize that their child isn’t even smiling much. I commend you for watching the little things.
Have a very happy day and walk around smiling and see if he gets the idea.
Debbie
Thank you for the great post – I had fun reading it! I always enjoy this blog.
Thanks Rochel and I shall keep writing them in hopes that it shall brighten your day.
May you always be blessed with happiness
Debbie
That is very sublime stuff. Never new that beliefs could be this varied. Thanks for all the enthusiasm to extend such helpful information at this site.
Just want to say what a great blog you got here!
Thank you Wendy. By the way people should check out your handbags they are really cool and a great selection.
May you always find your happiness.
Debbie
This is my first visit to your blog. We are starting a new initiative in the same niche as this blog. Your blog provided us with important information to work on. You have done a admirable job.
I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this article. I am hoping the same best work from you in the future as well. In fact your creative writing abilities has inspired me to start my own BlogEngine blog now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings rapidly. Your write up is a fine example of it.
I will try to keep my efforts coming. Have a very happy day.
Debbie
Debbie,
The thing lately that makes me smile regularly is the smell of fresh pizza baking. It’s like fresh baked bread! I walk into the store for my part-time job and I smile just from the smell of fresh baking dough.
Since I deliver pizza too, my car smells like fresh baked pizza, and I smile every time I knock on a door or ring a doorbell. I’m not sure how smiling affects my tips, but even in the pouring rain, I still smile when I deliver. I think some people don’t know they are supposed to tip their drivers, but tip or no tip, all my customers get a smile and a wish for a nice day.
Thanks for the reminder that smiling is contagious. It truly is.
Sherri
.-= Sherri–Being the Change I Wish to See´s last blog ..Twisted bin Logic…Beware! =-.
Sherri that is wonderful. Spreading smiles can be so much fun. If nothing else it makes others stop and think.
I love the smell of baked bread. It reminds me of when I was a kids. My mother use to bake all our bread. Loved eating it right out of the oven too.
I like to get those pizza’s that you pick up at Papa Murphy and bake at home, because it smells so good. You need to get a hat that says, “Tips are good.” maybe people would get the idea then. Just a thought.
Have a wonderful day and keep smiling
Debbie
Having tired out off the long office works and other house hold works personally I felt that was missing the pleasure to sit, laugh and enjoy my life. While I was sitting on my couch last Sunday I was deeply thinking about my daily routines and found that I am missing the delight of making myself and others happy. I know personally that nothing cheers you and others rather than a broad smile. So, I took a resolution last Sunday that I should make others and myself to be happy forever and enjoy my life then. I have started making pranks and playing with the little kids. Wow, it brings back the reminiscence of my pretty childhood. Even I have started reading jokes and uttering others and I burst out in laugh nowadays. So guys don’t miss the pleasure of making others happy, start making pranks, dance and run like a kid, bounce on your bed, gift flowers. Then you will see the other side of your colourful life with endless happiness.
Good for you. It is wonderful to hear that you are finding happiness in your life. Watching and playing like children can sure make a difference. “Bouncing on the bed” that is great. Makes me want to go do it right now. Sometimes as adult we get so caught up in the the big things that we forget about the little things that really count. My hubby has been working long hours lately at his work and I have taught him to just let go when he gets home and we talk about the fun and good things we have. Listen to some music and sometimes do a little dancing. Maybe will try the bouncing on the bed. (maybe one at a time, don’t want to break the bed even thought that would be rather funny.) Smiles do make a wonderful difference, keep them up. I am very proud of you!
May happiness always be yours,
Debbie