the dinner

Got a great dinner tonight. Fish, veggies and fruit shake. Hahaha! You might protest "You gotta be kidding! How can that be a great dinner??" It might be simple yet it's something I've missed eating for years. Don't complain, okay?

what makes you happy?

The little girl was jumping up and down and flashing a big smile as she ate the biscuit being fed to her by her grandma. Hers was a face filled with happiness. It takes a simple biscuit to make her day. It makes me ponder and ask myself this question (again), "what makes me happy"?

more reasons to smile

I cut the top 10 reasons to smile into two coz its lengthy. Anyway here's the second part to give you more reasons to flash that toothsome smile to everyone you meet:

6. Smiling Lowers Your Blood Pressure.
When you smile, there is a measurable reduction in your blood pressure. Give it a try if you have a blood pressure monitor at home. Sit for a few minutes, take a reading. Then smile for a minute and take another reading while still smiling. Do you notice a difference?

7. Smiling Releases Endorphins, Natural Pain Killers and Serotonin.
Studies have shown that smiling releases endorphins, natural pain killers, and serotonin. Together these three make us feel good. Smiling is a natural drug.

8. Smiling Lifts the Face and Makes You Look Younger.
The muscles we use to smile lift the face, making a person appear younger. Don't go for a face lift, just try smiling your way through the day -- you'll look younger and feel better.

9. Smiling Makes You Seem Successful.
Smiling people appear more confident, are more likely to be promoted, and more likely to be approached. Put on a smile at meetings and appointments and people will react to you differently.

10. Smiling Helps You Stay Positive.
Try this test: Smile. Now try to think of something negative without losing the smile. It's hard. When we smile our body is sending the rest of us a message that "Life is Good!" Stay away from depression, stress and worry by smiling.

how many muscles does it take to smile

You've probably heard it too, they said it takes a lot of muscles to frown but way less when you smile. But how many exactly? I've been browsing the net hoping to get the answer but I wasn't successful.

Anyway, if it takes fewer muscles to smile than to frown then why do we usually find frowning a much easy way to do? Hmmmmmm...

To encourage you to smile, here's a list of Top 10 Reasons To Smile from Mark Stibich, Ph.D.:

Smiling is a great way to make yourself stand out while helping your body to function better. Smile to improve your health, your stress level, and your attractiveness.

1. Smiling makes us attractive.
We are drawn to people who smile. There is an attraction factor. We want to know a smiling person and figure out what is so good. Frowns, scowls and grimaces all push people away -- but a smile draws them in.

2. Smiling Changes Our Mood.
Next time you are feeling down, try putting on a smile. There's a good chance you mood will change for the better. Smiling can trick the body into helping you change your mood.

3. Smiling is Contagious.
When someone is smiling they lighten up the room, change the moods of others, and make things happier. A smiling person brings happiness with them. Smile lots and you will draw people to you.

4. Smiling Relieves Stress.
Stress can really show up in our faces. Smiling helps to prevent us from looking tired, worn down, and overwhelmed. When you are stressed, take time to put on a smile. The stress should be reduced and you'll be better able to take action.

5. Smiling Boosts Your Immune System.
Smiling helps the immune system to work better. When you smile, immune function improves possibly because you are more relaxed. Prevent the flu and colds by smiling.