The 2nd week in August is considered National Smile Week and was primarily started as a campaign for dental health. This year we would like to take a different approach with National Smile Week and focus on things that make us smile and how to incorporate more smiles into our days.
According to an article published by Cheryl Butler called “15 Ways to Celebrate National Smile Week” on www.quickanddirtytips.com – your face has 44 muscles that allow you to make more than 5,000 expressions. When you are happy your endorphins increase which causes your body to change physiologically in ways such as heart and breathing rate. The article also references “Simply Smiling Can Actually Reduce Stress” published by Smithsonianmag.com. So the next time you hear someone say “grin and bear it” or “a smile a day keeps the doctor away” … flash that beautiful smile!
Here are some additional ideas the article shared:
- Smiles are contagious – always take the time to smile at someone hoping they will “pass it on” – to the next person. Very similar to “pay it forward” … a simple gesture of kindness goes a long way and can make an impactful difference. People have struggles every day and your smile could make their struggles more bearable.
- Create a list of things that make you smile and post it in an area that you will see it often – reminders like this are a great way to ensure smiles are a part of your “everyday life”.
- Challenge your children to a contest to see who can smile the longest. This is sure to have you laughing and enjoying yourselves – even something this simple can make a difference.
- Make your first thoughts in the morning happy ones – it may help kickstart a positive day.
- Your smile may impact others around you – by smiling a lot you may be viewed as a positive role model.
- When you are experiencing an extra challenging day at work, home or both – try to keep a smile on your face, take a deep breath and know “you’ve got this”. Your smile will see you through.
- Don’t think you’re attractive? Having a hard time finding a partner or companion? Well the more you smile the more attractive you may be! According to the article, 96% of American adults believe an attractive smile makes a person more appealing to members of the opposite sex. Who knew a smile could help you find your life mate.
- Display pictures throughout your home of happy times, experiences, faces – surround yourself with positivity.
- If you are walking through a store, down the sidewalk, or anywhere … make eye contact with the person you are passing and share a smile. Although today many people are wearing masks in public – even if passerbys can’t see your smile, you can say hello or ask them how they are doing. It only takes a few seconds of your time to help brighten someone else’s day and it is a feel good moment for you too!
- Laughter is the best medicine – and in order to laugh you must smile first.
National Smile Week is intended to raise awareness and focus on dental health. Dental health is very important and helps improve your smile – it is recommended to see a dentist twice per year (every 6 months) … don’t disappoint your dentist – take good care of your beautiful smile.
Happy National Smile Week – we hope you will challenge yourself and set a goal of how many smiles you will share this week and make it happen! You may have your best week yet!