Economist researchers have found that there is a simple way to be more productive at work. In a study carried out by a research team at the University of Warwick, it was found that employees were 12 per cent more productive when they felt happy. This is not the only study that links smiling with enhanced productivity. In another study carried out by researchers in sport and exercise psychology, it was found that periodic smiling had similar positive effects on endurance and performance of athletes. Participants in the study used less energy in their performance when they smiled as opposed to frowning. This allowed them to train for longer and achieve a higher level of performance.
While everyone has the natural ability to smile, not everyone may be inclined to show off a toothy grin. The poor state of a person’s teeth is cause for such embarrassment as to make them hesitant to break into a smile. Fortunately for adults with crooked, overcrowding, or gaps between teeth, there are dental solutions to help correct these orthodontic issues, like the highly-acclaimed Invisalign Luton. Why should one consider suitable treatment for orthodontic problems? For the simple reason that the act of smiling has been proven to hold a magical, transformative effect on the wearer, as well as those on the receiving end.
How the world becomes a better place by wearing a smile
There is no end to the benefits of indulging in a smile. A smile speaks volumes without a single word being uttered. Whether it is to show empathy, friendliness or acceptance, a smile holds the power to instil trust, and with this power, initiate positive change in the world around us. It is easy to see how smiles can start friendships, but genuine smiles can also dissolve disputes too.
One of the most remarkable magical effects of smiling is on oneself, in particular, the brain. Pushing the muscles involved in smiling into gear, the brain is prompted to pump up the production of feel-good neurochemicals – those neurotransmitters that are charged with making us feel happy within. When a smile is flashed, the brain produces more dopamine, endorphins and serotonin with the resultant effect that the body relaxes, heart rate and blood pressure is lowered and stress reduced.
Additional positive effects smiling has on the body including acting as a natural pain reliever, natural anti-depressant and boosting the immune system (thanks to the increase in serotonin production) to enable the body to better ward off illness and disease. By contributing to heart health, there is also the argument for the influence of smiling on lengthening lifespans.
A genuine smile holds the same meaning the world over. Unlike other gestures, for instance the thumbs up can signify different meanings depending on where one is in the world, there is no misinterpreting the warm smile to indicate happiness.
If science is to be believed, all one has to do to be more productive, happy and healthy is to smile more. Unlike the other things one wears, clothes, shoes, accessories, that change over time moving in and out of fashion, the effects of a smile are constant and everlasting.
