Smiling is Worth 2,000 Candy Bars

In a world that is so concerned with health and wellness, we often overlook the easy healthy behaviors that can have a major impact on our lives.  Smiling has amazing health benefits, such as reducing stress and hormones, raising endorphins, and lowering blood pressure.

Not only is smiling healthy, but it is pleasurable. A British study was conducted by Hewlett Packard that used an electromagnetic brain-scan machine and a heart-rate monitor to measure the value of various stimuli on raising mood. Seeing a child smile can create pleasure that is equal to 2,000 candy bars or $25,000 in cash. Seeing a loved one smile was worth 600 chocolate treats or $13,000 in cash.

With all the benefits that smiling offers, how often are we doing it? According to Ron Gutman, author of Smile:The Astonishing Powers of a Simple Act, children smile on average 400 times a day. While boys and girls smile equally, women smile more often than men do. Overall, more than 30% of adults smile more than 20 times a day and less than 14% of us smile less than five times a day.

Smiling is so valuable, not only for our health but our happiness also, so why not smile more and enjoy the day!


One thought on “Smiling is Worth 2,000 Candy Bars

  1. Great post and who would have thought smiling was so good for people, and everyone else around us. When I was always depressed, a few years back, I maybe smiled once a week, if I was lucky. Nowadays, I try and smile no matter how tired I am or how stressed I am at the time. I now have a love of smiling and receiving it back from people. Great post and I’m looking forward to reading more:))

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