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giving happiness global impact

A Daily Smile is a Great Give to Others and Yourself

 

“We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do”  – Mother Teresa

Ever had a bad day? Been in a bad mood? Mad about something or someone? And then, you run into someone who is smiling and you leave in a better mood, maybe even with a smile on your face? A daily smile is a great give to others and yourself. This is not random – smiling is contagious and it may be the easiest way to give.

 

Practice Smiling Everyday and See Happiness Increase

For some reason, as we grow older we forget to smile. In fact, children smile up to 400 times per day. Happy adults smile an average of 40 times per day. Those who are unhappy, or just neutral, around 20 times per day. This is why we feel happier around children, because they smile more than anyone.

Smiling is Good for Your Health

According to research, there are health benefits to smiling. When you smile, it releases dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins while decreasing stress levels and gives you a D.O.S.E. of happiness. Smiling can lower your blood pressure, relax your body, and decrease feelings of stress while acting as an antidepressant. Smiling creates a feedback loop in our brain that makes us feel better and makes us smile more.

Give a Smile For your Daily Give

It is the easiest gift to give to strangers or friends. Studies have also been done to test what happens when a stranger smiles at people. You guessed it, more people smile back. And as we just said, smiling creates a D.O.S.E. of happiness. It makes people feel better. So smiling is a great “give” to people. When someone smiles at you, you feel rewarded and therefore want to smile back.

Learn to Smile By Practicing Every Day

It’s true, as we grow up, we forget to smile. And some of us forget how to smile. Here are 3 easy tips to get your smile back:

  1. Think of something joyful – think of a time, a place, or a person that brings you genuine happiness. Just recalling this memory will bring a smile to your face. Recall this again and again to create a smile that is contagious.
  2. Practice smiling – practice makes perfect they say. Look in the mirror and practice your smile. Notice the difference between a forced smile and a genuine smile (as above). Others will notice the difference too so practice being genuine.
  3. Share your smile with others – start thinking about smiling as a key part of your day. Count how many people you can make smile during the day. Once you decide this will be part of your daily routine, you will become more comfortable and natural at smiling.

Give Someone A Smile Or Two And Feel Happier

There is no down side. Smiling makes us happier and it makes others happy. Smiling is easy to give and to share with others. Give the simplest gift of all, a smile.

Next time you go out into the world, think of something that makes you happy and share your happiness with others. Give a smile a day to create a happier world.

Show the world what you are doing to make our planet a happier place. Sign up for our 365give community and dig into our happiness research, giving ideas and the 365give Challenge, a challenge worth taking on for you and the world.

 

 

 

 

What people are saying about 365give

“I wanted to express my gratitude for the teaching you provided today. Your message was delivered eloquently, compassionately, and without judgment. The kids were engaged, and now have knowledge with which they can change the world. We all appreciated how you took the time to help us learn to build positive mindsets and practice happiness.”
Shelley Gardner, Grade 6 Ridgeview Elementary (West Vancouver)
“Actions really do speak louder than words, which is why I believe the 365give Challenge has resonated throughout my community. Every give we do is so important to us and leaves us happier and appreciating our lives a little bit more than before.”
Mahina Niyozova (Tajikistan)
“After watching the 365give TEDx Talk, I was inspired to join and begin a daily giving program in India. Today, along with 12 other volunteer women, we provide 100 meals to local underprivileged children in Bangalore for school every day.”
Deepika Ahuja, Mom (Bangalore, India)
“My life has greater meaning now.”
Renate Jorge, @BeKindBrazil and 365give Member, Family Program (Brazil)
“I just wanted to share that 365give really helped me. I am a better person now, thank you.”
MayLee, 365give Member, Individual Program
“This 365give Challenge has really injected excitement and extra enthusiasm in each work day as I think about what we can do. It has motivated me and the students.”
Cristina Peters, School Counselor (New York City, USA)
“I have seen a huge shift in energy throughout my classroom since doing the 365give Challenge. The Challenge has empowered my students to make a positive difference in the school’s community and beyond.”
Cella Adriana, Special Needs Educator /The Holliswood School (New York City, USA)
“The 365give Challenge helps students understand their impact on others. It opens avenues for introducing and discussing global and local issues in classrooms. It is powerful to watch students of all ages think about how they can make a change in another person’s life with one small act.”
Jessica Hall, Primary Teacher, French Immersion at École Pauline Johnson (West Vancouver, Canada)