The power of a smile

Waking up smiling

How better a beginning

For a bright new day

So… I forgot to post this yesterday. Better later than never…

Yesterday morning, the kids were accommodating. They had a good night, so the morning routine went almost smoothly. The best, however, was the little ones all happy. They started their day with a smile. I started my day with a smile. Nothing could have put a damper my mood.

It is interesting to see how a simple smile brighten things around you. I remember reading about benefits of smiling, and I went to search a bit more. There is a number of Smile Therapy website, a bunch of psychology 101 blog entries on smiling and advantages…

I can believe that smiling, even if forced, brings a hue of pink and blue to your surroundings. Smiling can alleviate your mood, reduce stress level, makes you attractive to others. What is interesting, is the number of mention of smiling in relation with health. Smiling is supposed to reduce blood pressure, boost the immune system and produce endorphins. Basically, smiling makes you relax, reduces your level of pain and gives you some pleasure…

Is this a mechanical or psychological effect? Does smiling brings all its benefits because of the muscles contractions, or does it work because our brain associates smiling with all these good things?

One aspect of the smiling therapy I find even more interesting is its usage as part of learning therapy, for children with development delay, learning difficulties and other symptoms. It seems that taking the smiling path helps bring self confidence among other things that are required in the learning process.

Finally, I found a recipe to start your day. When you wake up, allocate a one minute meditation combining smiling and breathing. Smile when inhaling, then relax when exhaling. It is quite simple. You can do that in your car or on the bus ride to the office… people around you would probably get perplex, or have a good laugh.

… I wonder what would happen if you add the smiling part to chakra breathing exercises… I think I will add it, the smile, next time I practice kokyu ho… who knows if my ki will benefit also from the smiling therapy…