A smile is a quick, simple, and priceless way to engage with other people, but did you know it also has some grin-inducing health benefits? Studies have shown that smiling releases endorphins that can lift your spirits. Smiling has also been linked to helping alleviate stress, reduce pain, lower blood pressure and may even boost your immunity.
According to Dr. Murray Grossan, an ENT-otolaryngologist, it has consistently been shown that depression weakens our immune systems, while happiness boosts immunity. Dr. Grossan also says that when we smile our brains see muscle activity and assumes that humor is happening. The doctor added that our brains do not care why we are smiling, it is just the act of smiling that can lead to better health outcomes, like longevity, lowering heart rates, or even just getting through your day.
7 ways to unleash your smile power!
There are many ways we can entice ourselves (and others) to smile more, and they are all low cost with a great return on investment. So, what can you do to help create more smiles in the world?
1. Call people you love and let them know you are thinking about them.
2. Say thank you to the cashier at the supermarket or your server at the restaurant – something that will surely bring countless (and much-appreciated) smiles.
3. Go old school with a handwritten note by sending a card to a loved one letting them know why they make you smile.
4. Do something special and unexpected for a significant other. “Your person” deserves to smile!
5. Go for a walk with a friend – great conversation paired with exercise will certainly help unleash those smile-inducing endorphins!
6. Laugh…at yourself! Yes, that’s right. Researchers at the Institute of Psychology at the University of Innsbruck say that laughing at yourself and not taking yourself too seriously means you ‘acknowledge that you are not the center of the universe,’ and people who laugh at themselves tend to be more resilient, which can lower inflammation in the body!
7. Volunteering is another great way to empower smiles. What better way to create more smiles, than by giving back? Points of Light – the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service – offers a searchable database of volunteer opportunities on its website.
35 years of smiling!
Some thing that makes us smile here at Delta Dental is supporting local non-profits that are doing vital work in our communities through our SMILE Mini Grants. These grants are honoring our Foundation’s 35th anniversary throughout 2021. This year, we awarded $135,000 in SMILE Mini Grants to celebrate 35 years of empowering healthy smiles.
Some of our 2021 SMILE Mini grantees include, CATCH Global – Connecticut, which is receiving a $5,000 grant to educate youngsters on the oral and overall health consequences of vaping. Norwalk Hospital is getting $9,920 to support dental equipment and supplies to treat those with developmental and intellectual disabilities, serving up to 350 individuals. The UCONN Foundation is receiving a $10,000 grant to support the Share the Care fund that will be used to offset dental care costs for veterans not eligible for other financial support via their Open Wide for Veteran’s Day program.
Something else we love at Delta Dental is healthy smiles – we believe everyone deserves access to care that will lead to a lifetime of healthy smiles. And, according to the recent Delta Dental Plans Association’s The State of America’s Oral Health Report, Americans are prioritizing their smiles. As a matter of fact, about 2 in 3 adults made a preventive visit to their dentist in 2020 to reduce their chances of experiencing serious dental issues, while more than 50% did so because they know their oral health is connected to their overall health. While there’s more work to do, this information certainly makes us smile.
Looking for more oral health information to help keep your smile happy and healthy? Check out more of our educational blogs and information on the various dental plans we offer to groups and individuals.
