Does Smiling Boost Your Immune System? Since the COVID-19 pandemic, our immune systems have been front and center in protecting us. Who knew that the simple solution would be to smile more? There is scientific data that confirms that smiling does boost your immune system!
Why You Should Be Smiling Daily
Laugh therapy, laugh yoga, and daily smiling exercises have been on the rise lately. If you’re one of the people finding it difficult to smile please know that you are not alone.
In a study released in 2015, 74 postpartum women were tested. There were 38 in a control group (no laughter therapy), and 38 in an experimental group with laughter therapy. The results were conclusive that laugh therapy boosted the immune response in the experimental group.
According to the Mayo Clinic, laughter is also a great stress-reliever. Among the short-term benefits:
- Enhances oxygen intake
- Stimulates internal organs (lungs, heart, and muscles)
- Increases the release of endorphins in the brain
- Activates, then relieves stress response resulting in relaxation
- Stimulates circulation
- Helps with muscle relaxation which soothes tension
The findings also revealed a list of long-term benefits that can be derived from laughter:
- Relieves pain by helping the body produce natural painkillers
- Makes coping with difficult situations easier
- Helps with interpersonal relationships
- Lessen depression, stress, and anxiety
- Boost self-esteem
Perhaps the largest benefit of laughter and smiling is to the body’s immune system.
How Smiling Works to Boost Your Immune System
Smiling triggers our brain to release dopamine. To translate that — dopamine is a neurotransmitter that our bodies make and use to send messages, sort of like a little chemical messenger. Dopamine is a very integral part of our body as it assists in many areas, including:
- Learning and motivation
- Heart rate and blood vessel functioning
- Sleep
- Kidney function
- Mood and attention
- Pain processing and movement
Dopamine also plays a role in controlling digestive responses such as nausea and vomiting and can play a part in lactation for nursing mothers.
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Smiling releases dopamine which activates the immune system, increasing the number of illness-killing cells and antibodies. The happier we are, the better our entire immune system functions. Laughter encourages the cells in our bodies to work better.
Additional Health Benefits of Smiling
In addition to creating a stronger immune system, smiling can help in many other areas of general health too.
There is documented evidence that smiling and laughter can help lower your blood pressure. Because the action of laughing relieves stress and tension, it can also help with circulation and effectively lower your blood pressure. While it won’t replace your prescription medications for HBP, it may help lower your dosage requirements.
Even a fake smile can help reduce stress levels. When we are at our most stressed, a simple smile can be an ice-breaker that allows us to continue with necessary tasks. A reduced stress level contributes to better heart health and lower blood pressure.
People who suffer from chronic pain may know something about smiling as an aid to pain relief. Because dopamine helps your body use its nature painkillers, smiling may reduce pain.
Unless you’re a marathon runner, you probably don’t think much about endurance. On the other hand, if it wears you out walking around the block, you will be happy to know that smiling can help increase your endurance. On your next walk, try smiling at the kids playing. Enjoy the flowers along the route. Talk to the barking dog and laugh a bit.
People have consistently searched for the mythical Fountain of Youth. Who knew that it was within our grasp the whole time? Smiling is even known to increase your life expectancy!
Learning to Smile — Fake It ‘Til You Make It
If you don’t experience much laughter in your life, consider trying to add some humor to your daily routine. It can be as simple as scrolling through funny memes on social media. You can read funny books, watch TV sitcoms or comedy movies. On date night you can visit the local comedy show.
Add a few thoughts to your brain’s filing cabinet that make you happy. When you need a little lift, recall those memories. It could be your child’s first step or a funny antic that your cat did. Anything that has made you laugh and is a fond memory can be a trigger for adding dopamine to your system.
If you notice a co-worker is wearing one brown sock and one black sock go ahead and laugh. They’ll get a boost too! Laugh at yourself when you do something silly.
Join a laugh yoga group, or start one at the office during lunch. The concept is simple. People practice laughing together. Sometimes it may seem forced, or fake, and that’s just fine. When someone uses a hokey fake laugh it will evoke a hearty guffaw from someone. Before you know it everyone is laughing.
We should add a caveat here. While it is funny to laugh at things like mismatched socks, please be sure that your co-worker is laughing with you. Laughter should never be accomplished at the expense of another person’s feelings. Humor should be fun, not mean or vindictive.
Laughter Really Is the Best Medicine
Try an experiment. Go to the nearest mirror. Laugh. Did your reflection laugh back? Doesn’t that feel great?
Try smiling during the normal course of your day. Doing chores. Before making a phone call or answering the phone. While doing the dishes. Whatever is on your agenda today — smile before you start each task.
Smiling can improve your mood, aid relationships, and generally just make life better all around. It is also contagious. When someone looks like their day isn’t going so well smile and wish them well. Chances are they will smile back.
A Straight Smile Will Boost Your Mood Too
It’s true — smiling can boost your immune system.
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If you are hesitant to smile because you don’t like the way your teeth look, now is the perfect time to contact Dillion Orthodontic Care. To begin your journey, simply fill out the Appointment Request form. Whether you are interested in Invisalign or traditional braces, Dr. Michael Dillon can help.
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