Smiling has been shown to have a host of benefits for our overall health, including heart health. These are some of the ways in which smiling can improve our cardiovascular health:
Stress is one of the main risk factors for heart disease. When we smile, our body releases neuropeptides that tell the brain to de-stress. In this way, our heart receives the relaxation it so desperately needs, as blood pressure and heart rate decrease.
Our body also releases endorphins and antibodies when we smile. These organic compounds promote heart health by improving mood and helping to fight infections.
Additionally, smiling has been shown to increase blood flow to the heart and the rest of the body. This is because smiling causes our blood vessels to widen, which improves circulation.
Another major risk factor for heart disease is chronic inflammation. Our body releases anti-inflammatory substances when we smile, which helps reduce this inflammation.
Additionally, smiling increases oxygen consumption, necessary for heart health and other aspects of our general well-being. Our lungs enlarge when we smile, allowing us to breathe in more oxygen, which then reaches the heart.
These are just a few of the ways that smiling is good for the heart. So, the next time you are under pressure or feeling sad, take a moment to smile and lift your heart.
