The Healing Benefits of a Smile

A recent study from the University of Kansas has shed light on why it is important to smile.  Normally, we assume that the benefits are for those who see a smile because they can appreciate the pleasant feelings and positivity of a happy face.  Interestingly, this study revealed how the beneficiary of a smile is really the one smiling.  People in the study were asked to perform stressful tasks.  Afterwards, the ones who were made to smile showed decreased levels of stress.  Sarah Pressman, who co-authored the study, theorizes that the smile evolved as a way to express the absence of environmental threats by signaling the brain that all is well.

Read the full article here:  Smile!  You’ll Feel Better