Can you smile too much?

Do you ever smile too much? I know, right? You don’t think it’s possible. But, believe it or not (okay if you know me, you believe it!), I smile a lot. I have been told that I smile too much.

Is it possible to smile too much?

Nah, I say, not possible. Another thing that I’ve been told is, “You’re too happy.” Again, what the?! I mean; c’mon people, too happy?! Not possible.

Well, let me clarify. Perhaps if it were a funeral or other place where smiling is inappropriate, then, yes, the phrase would be fine.

Otherwise, nope. I will smile when I want, whenever I want to. Do you see those lines around my eyes? I’ve earned them, from the many great experiences I have had in my life.

Has there been drama too? Heck yes. And then some.

But, and I mean this, I do not choose to live in the dark moments of the past, although I do look back to learn from my mistakes. I focus on the now, the present day, and the smiles that I own. So, I smile.

Smiling to get through it

And, you know, sometimes a smile forms on my face because it motivates me too. As Teagan recently wrote, she creates inspiring messages to help motivate her as much as for the readers.

This way of thinking is similar to when you give a present and feel so much in return from the love felt between you and the gift recipient. That feeling, that happiness within, is a gift in itself.

Health benefits of smiling

Given the research on the link between health and smiling, you’ll be wanting to smile even MORE. Smiling can lower stress levels, according to a recent study from University of Kansas. A smile can help us with coping in trying situations, which gives support to the phrase “grin and bear it.”

Smiling can also speed up the recovery process after experiencing short-term stress. The reason taps into neuroscience. When you smile, blood flows to the brain increases, which undoes the damage of stress. And the smile can even be fake for this to work!

Oh and the next time you’re at the gym or exercising elsewhere, remember to smile. It may just help you enjoy the workout more, and if you’re at the gym to be social, then you’re going to be more likely to get someone else smiling at you and saying “hi.”

Lastly, have you ever noticed how when you smile, it’s more likely that you get someone smiling right back at you? Yup, smiles are contagious.. but in a good way. As per a study published in the Journal of Nonverbal Behavior, it is hard not to smile at someone who is smiling at you. While you could frown (it is possible), it’s not easy to do. Besides, why would you want to?

Really, it’s all about the positive. So, let’s keep smiling and have a great day!