Smile to brighten your day

I remember going to my first live musical performance as a child. It was a high-school production of the musical Bye-Bye Birdie, and it began for me a life-long love for the theater. As the characters moved across the stage, the lyrics, even as a young kid, held to me a meaning that still resonates true today. I can still hear the music: "Gray skies are gonna clear up, Put on a happy face; Brush off the clouds and cheer up, Put on a happy face. Take off the gloomy mask of tragedy, It's not your style; You'll look so good that you'll be glad Ya' decide to smile!"

It's true - Smiling actually makes us happier. Studies have shown that even when you are sad or stressed, forcing the corners of your mouth into a smile sends messages to your brain that you are happy. This forces your body to pump out all kinds of feel-good endorphins, leading to an actual change in your emotional state. In other words, "fake it till you make it" holds up as a scientifically proven way to make your day a little brighter.

Here are a few other reasons to show your pearly whites:

• Smiling makes other people happier: Remember Louis Armstrong, "When you're smilin', the whole world smiles with you." Well, it's true. Studies show that something as simple as seeing a friend smile can cause you to make that same expression without even being aware that you are doing it. Crazy, isn't it?

• Smiling makes you more attractive: Ever wonder why we're asked to smile in photos? According to a recent study, 96 percent of American adults believe a confident smile makes a person more appealing. So the next time you are about to ask someone on a date, smile. It'll make them feel happier (see above), and you'll already be more attractive in his or her eyes!

• Smiling can help you land a job: We all know that when you go in for a job interview, first impressions matter a lot. A big part of this first impression is how you look. So go ahead and put on the nice clothes, but by all means, wear them with a smile! In one study, participants were asked to rate a person's marketable attributes based solely on a photograph. Inevitably, the simple addition of a smile caused ratings to skyrocket in areas such as confidence, conscientiousness, stability, and teamwork. The verdict - employers like people who smile.

• Smiling just feels good: Have you ever found that smiling is just plain fun? Go ahead, try it. Smile. Doesn't it feel natural? Doesn't it make you feel happy to be alive? Doesn't it make you feel like you are ready for anything that comes your way? Truly, a smile is one of the greatest and easiest things we can do to make sure our day goes the way we want it to. So show off those pearly whites to the world and let confidence follow.

Dr. Logan Hazard recently opened Heartwood Family Dental in Post Falls. At Heartwood we offer free exams and X-rays for new patients, treatment for the entire family, a wonderful team, and preferred providers for all insurances in the area. Call Justine today at (208) 777-1542.