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Deborah Tosline wrote and published “Skin Remodeling DIY: An Introduction to the Underground World of Do-It-Yourself Skincare” in 2015. Her approach to skin care is based on a scientific background, love of research and over 30 years of DIY skincare experience.
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Considering the times, it may be beneficial to learn how a smile expression can be a daily go-to expression or resting expression that can trigger the brain to promote happiness feelings.
In about 2002, I made the decision to try to live (age) with a smile instead of a frown. Seriously.
I chose the image of the Dalai Lama on the cover of The Pocket Dalai Lama published by Shamvhala Pocket Classics (not affiliated, still enjoy this book) as a foundation for my smile practice. I carried and read this little book and referred to the image of the Dalai Lama’s slight smile often.
After so many years, wearing a slight smile has become a habit for me. There are nuances. I’ve tried to develop what I think is a professional slight smile for work and meetings hoping it is a sort of serious slight smile. I try to follow my smile practice always, for example when alone or while watching a movie. Sometimes I forget my slight smile; as soon as I notice I practice again.
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I began my smile practice after a bit of research. I also looked around - observationally not judgmentally - and it seemed that many neutral expressions range from frownish to full frown.
I chose to make a new habit to live with a slight smile and why not, I believed that the action had the potential to provide multiple benefits over time. So began my pursuit to live with a slight smile to avoid potentially living with a frown and to reap the bennies.
Sometimes I’ve caught myself in a reflection with a lopsided slight smile on my face and wondered how my slight smile nuances have evolved and how they come across as I modify the slight smile to fit the circumstances. Regardless, I am devoted to my slight smile practice.
Research, professional opinion and others have debated whether a smile can change the smiler’s brain and how others feel when they see a smiling face.
A team of scientists analyzed and interpreted data from previously published studies to assess the impact of a smile. This is called a meta-analysis. They reviewed 50-years of study results and determined that an evaluation of people’s feelings indicate that smiling has a slight effect on happiness, scowling feels like anger and frowns are sad.
Although it’s difficult to identify the number of muscles that a person uses in all their varieties of smiles and frowns to say whether smiling or frowning uses more or fewer muscles. It is simply good practice to have an attitude of positivity to support an easy smile instead of the tightness of negativity that may involve many muscles.
Orangatang smile https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Smile_from_jungle.jpg
A review of smiling through time shows that there have been all types of smiles through history. For example, the Old Testament contains one smile reference and many references to faces that “shine” and Buddha is depicted with a “serene smile”.
Research shows that the act of smiling triggers the release of serotonin and dopamine which are known to promote happiness and feelings of content.
Smile image CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)
We now know that the act of smiling can trick the brain into creating chemicals that promote feelings of happiness. The brain is connected to the immune system. It’s been shown that depression weakens immunity and happiness boosts immunity. When the brain sees smile activity it assumes humor and produces chemicals that reduce stress and lower heart rate.
Knowing that a smile can increase immunity is good news during these uncertain times when we all need an optimized immune system.
The connection between a smile, the brain, and feel-good-chemical interactions can change the way you perceive your day. To experience the benefits, hold a smile periodically throughout the day and ramp up your smile activity from there as you desire. If your day is not going well, try a smile for 10 to 15 seconds.
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I recommend maintaining a slight smile as a resting facial expression throughout the day and all other forms of smiling as often as possible to receive the multiple potential co-benefits of this simple expression.
For me, if the simple act of wearing a slight smile provides a documented mental boost and minimizes frown activity. This is an easy decision and worthwhile pursuit.
Developing a slight smile practice was not easy at first. Initially, it was exhausting in its way. In early days, I practiced a slight smile as much as I could all day. Over time, it became easier as my muscles changed and strengthened to support my new request. I try to stay conscious on a new habit for about a year before I let my sub-conscious manage my new habit and even then, I still check in. Like any new habit It takes desire and discipline to integrate a new practice into your daily thoughts and routine. Over all, a smile habit only requires a direct thought and a little muscle activity.
The Dalai Lama https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dalai_Lama_(4474825264).jpg
If you need more information, go to the library, search the Internet, read my past Blog articles, or get my book “Skin Remodeling DIY: An Introduction to the Underground World of Do-It-Yourself Skincare”
Take good care of yourselves!
XO Deborah
This article is intended to be used as general information only and is in no way intended to replace medical advice, be used as a medical treatment program, diagnosis, or cure of any disease or medical condition. There are no warranties, expressed or implied, regarding the effectiveness of the practices described in this article. Products or substances discussed herein are for educational purposes only and are not intended as recommendations of the author.