Embracing Smiles
June 13, 2023
Embracing Smiles and Self-care for Inner Bliss Author: Priya Saikia
In our fast-paced and demanding world, it’s easy to get caught up in the daily hustle and forget to take care of the most important person in our lives – ourselves. We often prioritize work, relationships, and responsibilities but completely ignore our own well-being. Self-care is necessary to maintain balance, recharge, and cultivate a healthy relationship with ourselves. It is a necessity to ensure that our physical, emotional, and mental needs are met.
Let’s start by talking about the simplest way to start our self-care routine. Have you ever smiled at a stranger on the road? If not, give it a try. You’ll be amazed at how often they will smile back. Smiling is infectious, and therefore, it is amazing! When someone smiles at you, it can instantly uplift your mood and brighten your day. Moreover, there’s science behind this. When we smile, our brain releases endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine, which are neurotransmitters associated with happiness and well-being. This natural high helps keep us positive and enhances our overall sense of self-care. In this blog post, we will explore some of the incredible benefits of the simple act of smiling.
Reducing Stress and Anxiety
One of the most significant benefits of smiling is its ability to reduce stress and anxiety. Yes, you heard us right. This simple muscle movement can send signals to our brains that everything is okay, even during challenging situations. The physical act of smiling triggers the release of the stress-reducing hormone called cortisol, while also lowering our blood pressure and heart rate. By incorporating smiling into our self-care routines, we can effectively manage stress and cultivate a more relaxed state of being. So next time, when you’re stressed with deadlines, take a pause and smile. It might help you work much better.
Boosting Confidence and Self-Esteem
Self-care is not just about taking care of our physical health; it also involves nurturing our emotional well-being. And guess what, smiling can help in regard as well. This simple muscle movement plays a great role in boosting our confidence and self-esteem. When we smile, it conveys a sense of warmth, approachability, and self-assurance. It can help us feel more comfortable in social situations and improve our relationships with others. Moreover, remember that smiling can trick our brains into believing that we are happy, which in turn leads to a genuine increase in our overall sense of self-worth. Honestly, my own confident personality today is probably a result of a morning practice that my high school teacher taught me. She told me to wish myself a good morning with a bright smile every single morning right after I wake up and trust me, this practice has been so helpful in life that I do it even today.
Enhancing Physical Health
Believe it or not, smiling can also have a positive impact on our physical health. When we smile, our facial muscles are activated, which in turn stimulates blood flow and improves oxygenation. This increased circulation can contribute to healthier skin, as well as a more youthful and radiant appearance. Maybe, it is time to include smiling in our skin-care routine as well. Additionally, smiling can strengthen our immune system by reducing the levels of stress hormones that can weaken our body’s natural defence mechanisms. Basically, by smiling more, we can support both our physical and mental well-being.
Spreading Positivity and Connection
Self-care is not only about individual needs; it is also about our interactions with others. A simple smile can be a powerful tool for spreading positivity and fostering connections. When we smile at others, it creates a sense of warmth and openness, encouraging them to reciprocate and engage with us on a deeper level. This exchange of positive energy can enrich our relationships, create a supportive community, and enhance our overall self-care journey.
In the pursuit of self-care, we often overlook the simplicity and effectiveness of a smile. Smiling not only brings joy to ourselves but also radiates positivity to those around us. We are born with the ability to smile, yet we smile less and less as we age. By smiling more frequently every day, we can experience a wide range of benefits, from reducing stress and anxiety to boosting confidence and self-esteem. So, let’s remember to prioritize self-care and unleash the magic of a smile.
As Tom Wilson said, “A smile is happiness you’ll find right under your nose.”
The nature of friendship There is no specific way to define what a ‘friendship’ is. Sometimes it’s a connection with the person you grew up with, or a group that shares your interests. But friendship also starts with a casual chat at work, a neighbour waving hello, or a familiar face you meet every day on the way home. That’s the beauty of it — there are no boundaries or limits to how friendships are formed. Navigating life changes is hard — but you don’t have to do it alone We’ve all gone through big life changes like moving somewhere new, starting over, or facing tough events. In fact, getting through those times on our own isn’t easy. Entering a new stage can ignite the feelings of loneliness and anxiety. That’s where good friends come in: they can be a real mental buffer against our negative emotions. Friendships offer emotional support by helping you feel truly seen and connected. They create a sense of belonging and strengthen your emotional resilience. Still, maintaining a friendship that stands the test of time and distance isn’t always easy. Communication with friends often gets disrupted as we move through unexpected changes. Sometimes, just one honest and open conversation is all it takes to rebuild the bridge — to remind each other that we’re still here, still listening. A good friend can validate your feelings, empower and inspire you to take steps. Friendships: the first relationship that shapes the rest Friendships are one of the first relationships we get to choose for ourselves. Spending time with people who are good for our developmental health is matter, as they play a huge role in shaping how we connect with others. Through friendship, we learn how to trust, how to support, and how to be present — lessons that carry into every other relationship we build. On this International Friendship Day, let’s take a moment to reflect on the power of friendship in supporting mental well-being and emotion, especially during life’s most challenging moments. Whether it’s a message, a call, or a quiet thank-you, let your friends and the person you care know how much they’ve mattered on your journey. Written by Anne Bui and Kylie Nguyen
On this year's World Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Day, we explore the importance of early intervention and seeking the right support for the youngest people in our society.
The 7th of April brings around World Mental Health Day once again! Health is a broad topic that can be overwhelming and intimidating to many people, making it seem hard to maintain on top of your work, social life, and family duties. However, there are 5 healthy habits you can incorporate into your daily routine to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Sleep like it’s a priority! Health and sleep go hand in hand, and to feel your best you need to ensure you get a good night’s sleep. A good night’s sleep allows your body to rest and recharge for the following day, boosting both your physical and mental health. To ensure your get a good night’s rest, consider creating a sleep pattern where you go to sleep and wake up at the same every day. While it’s tempting to scroll on your phone or binge watch TV, sticking to a sleep routine helps your body get into a pattern and boosts your mood. Prep like a meal master Healthy meals are time consuming to make, and takeout often feels like the easiest solution after a long day’s work. This is great occasionally; however, they do lack the nutrients your body needs which is where meal prepping comes in! Meal prepping just once a week allows you to keep on track of eating healthy lunches and dinners, boosting both your physical and mental wellbeing, as a balanced diet is linked to improving mood and boosting energy. Sweat in snippets! A full body workout everyday can be overwhelming, but the trick is not to focus on getting in a 2-hour workout every day! Instead aim for 10 minutes here and there, like walking on your lunch breaks or stretching in between work tasks. Even wearing ankle weights while cooking will allow you to be exercising while doing daily tasks! Working out in small bursts is a good way to maintain your physical health and is also seen to boost your mood. Drink up buttercup! Aim to drink a litre of water a day. It’s a simple task that’s easy to forget, but a simple trick is to take a sip every time you pick up your phone. This creates a habit of drinking water every time you’re scrolling on TikTok or texting someone and will help you reach your hydration goal. It’s important to drink water as it helps maintain a healthy body and maintain its functions, so it’s time to drink up buttercup! Pause and breathe If you’re busy working all day, it’s easy to forget to check in with yourself. To solve this problem, set health breaks on your phone that will remind you every few hours. Take just 5 minutes to step away - go for a quick walk or pause to breathe and recharge. It’s a simple way to look after your wellbeing throughout the day and get you moving a little bit, so you’re not stuck in same spot all day. Good Wellbeing Starts Today With such a busy schedule, maintaining your health can be an afterthought. However, these 5 healthy habits aim to incorporate looking after one’s physical and mental health into your daily routine. Download the Supportive Mind app to prioritise your wellbeing In today’s fast-paced world, finding time for yourself can be tough. The Supportive Mind is here to change that. With features designed to help you stay active, track your mood, and access personalised wellness resources, our app is the perfect companion to ensure your mental and physical health come first. Download today: https://www.mhfa.org.au/supportive-mind By Jamie Speight
