Helping others and giving can increase our own feeling of happiness. Sharing smiles and kindness is something that can brighten another person's day and our own.
The muscles involved in emotional feelings seem to be a two way connection. Feeling happy can make us smile with our lips turned up at the corners and also with our eye muscles contracted slightly at the corners. Smiling for the camera or because we are told to smile can look somewhat forced because the lips might be turned up in a smile but the crinkled eye corner expression is missing. Smiling though without feeling forced can lead to an increased feeling of happiness in the brain as the muscles expression seems to direct the mood, not just the mood directing the muscle expression.
“Peace is not something you wish for; It's something you make, Something you do , Something you are, And something you give away.” - John Lennon, musician and peace activist.
For more about the muscles that power our smiles, and their effect on mood see: "Why Faking a Smile is a Good Thing," by Roger Dooley, (2013) Forbes.
For a few more ideas to promote your inner sense of peace and happiness see: "10 Truths for Peace and Happiness," The Daily Positive.
/Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes within the guidelines of fair use. While I am a Registered Dietitian this information is not intended to provide individual health guidance. Please see a health professional for individual health care purposes./
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