The Selfish Reason to Smile

Yeah, I know this sounds like a hippy feel good intro. Well, it is, kind of. But don’t worry, there’s lots of cold hard science and stern thought that went into it! And knowing just a few basics about it can help you.

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Funny, isn’t it, how such as simple emoticon can indicate in our minds the act of smiling? There must be a very primal connection to that feeling as well as the other emotions we so simply display.

Did you know a common sales tool taught to marketers is to smile when speaking on the phone to customers? It’s commonly known in the field that how you smile, sit and poise yourself actually carries over into your voice, and those on the other line subconsciously sense it. If that’s true, imagine how powerful that is in person.

Moodiness and depression can absolutely be aggravated by nutritional deficiencies, I believe that 100%. It’s also known by researchers that whatever form the muscles in your face and posture take on, the more your body wants to naturally conform to those emotions. So naturally when you’re feeling down, you want to frown and slump, but the brain finds it harder to stay in that mood if you simply refuse to.

Personally, what I believe to know instinctively with no research necessary, is that despite our own facial expression or attitude, it’s always better to see someone enter the room with a sincere grin than a frown. It instantly brightens up the surroundings, and quite often makes me feel even better. Happiness loves company just as much as misery.

So I ask you to consider this. And I may be wrong, but I may just as likely be on to something.

The best thing you can do to ensure that you feel good almost all the time, is to smile and be poised in as happy a manner as possible. Not some insincere shit-eating grin, but as genuine as you can muster at the time.

Why?

Sure, there’s science to show the muscle/brain connection, but if when I see someone enter a room who is cheerful, funny or simply pleasant, it makes ME feel better, that’s likely true for everyone else. So if they see ME smiling and content, they’re more likely to give it back.  And boom, I just swiped some good vibes before they even knew what happened. Hell, they may be forcing it as much as I with me being none the wiser.

Do this a few times and suddenly your forced grin and good mood will fade into the real thing.

- Josh

*************** A quick note below about the nutritional component **********

Back to those nutritional deficiencies – ever notice how after a big night of partying, binge eating on crappy food, too much alcohol, or some other “naughtyness” that you feel down? This may be due to the depletion of minerals and nutrients, especially if you were running on a low tank that made you crave those substances to begin with.

I try to keep my tank full with, this is the number one thing, lots of juiced vegetables and fruits, which gives a boost of micro-nutrients that get into the cells in as quickly as 15 minutes. In addition to that are some great supplements and herbs that some readers of this blog are already familiar with.

Chia Seeds and Coconut Oil for omega-3 fats, which are associated with improved brain and nervous function

Mucuna Pruriens and Bacopa: together said to help boost brain activity, blood flow, and production of the feel good “dopamine” chemical in the brain once you’ve built them up in your system.

And don’t forget Cacao! Yes, chocolate.

After a couple months of utilizing these “nature tools”, and actually only about a week of juicing, I started to notice that things that used to drag me down rolled right off my back in far less time, and continue to do so.

I believe this all works in reverse, though. If you have a chip on your shoulder and are simply determined to walk around grumpy and slouching, your mind and body will accommodate your wishes.