“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.” ― Thich Nhat Hanh
One of my favorite classic meditations is the Inner Smile.
It is simple, pleasurable and transformational.
It has nearly instantaneous benefits for your mood, immune system, brain power and productivity.
You can practice Inner Smile anywhere- sitting on your meditation cushion, walking on a busy street or driving in your car on your way to an important meeting.
Just smile.
Start with a gentle, easy, effortless smile on your lips and let it stead all through your body,
Nourish your smile with your breath.
Feed it with images of other smiles, of places and people and things you love.
Let the sensations of the smile continue to spread through your body.
Bathe in the energy of the smile.
What good does it do?
Smiling brings measurable benefits to your physical, mental and emotional health
Ron Gutman, the author of Smile: The Astonishing Powers of a Simple Act, states, “British researchers found that one smile can generate the same level of brain stimulation as up to 2,000 bars of chocolate.”
Smiling re-sets your inner pharmacy to produce feel-good hormones like dopamine, endorphins and serotonin. These lift your mood and your energy level and help relieve stress and pain.
Need a boost of confidence?
Smile.
Serotonin has been called the confidence chemical. Simply smile and you instantly produce more serotonin and you will look and feel more confident.
Try it before you head into a tough conversation or any situation where you are feeling some anxiety.
Smile.
Breathe.
Enjoy.
Bonus: Smiles are universal …and contagious.
As you smile, you’ll be spreading happiness and well-being not only through your own nervous system but to everyone around you.
Smiles and Love,
Lea