May 31 is National Smile Day, a day to appreciate and share the benefits of a healthy smile. Smiling is not only a natural expression of happiness and amusement but also a way to improve your physical and mental health, as well as your social and professional relationships. In this blog post, I will tell you more about the history and significance of this day, and some of the ways to celebrate it.
The History and Significance of National Smile Day
National Smile Day was created by Dr. Tim Stirneman and Jim Wojdyla of Compassionate Dental Care in Lake in the Hills, Illinois, to “share with the world what the power of a healthy smile can do.” They wanted to raise awareness about the importance of oral health and hygiene and to encourage people to smile more often and spread joy and positivity to others.
The idea of celebrating smiles is not new, however. The history of the smile can be traced back to monkeys and apes, who bared their teeth to show dominance or warn off predators. Over time, humans evolved to smile to show amusement and enjoyment, as well as to attract mates and communicate emotions. Smiling also became a way of expressing politeness and courtesy in different cultures and traditions.
Smiling has been studied by scientists and philosophers for centuries, who have discovered many benefits of smiling for our health and well-being. As the famous quote by Thich Nhat Hanh says, “Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.”
The Benefits of Smiling
Smiling has many positive effects on our bodies and mind. Here are some of the benefits of smiling:
- Smiling releases endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine, which are neurotransmitters that make you feel good and reduce stress and pain.
- Smiling lowers your blood pressure and heart rate, which can protect you from cardiovascular diseases.
- Smiling boosts your immune system by stimulating the production of white blood cells, which fight infections and diseases.
- Smiling makes you look more attractive, confident, and trustworthy, which can enhance your social and professional relationships.
- Smiling improves your mood and outlook on life, which can help you cope with challenges and difficulties.
- As another famous quote by Mother Teresa says, “We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do.”
How to Celebrate National Smile Day
National Smile Day is a great opportunity to practice smiling more often and to share your smile with others. Here are some of the ways to celebrate this day:
Share your smile: Spread the joy by smiling at others throughout the day and brightening someone’s day with your positive energy. You never know how much a simple smile can mean to someone who is having a bad day or feeling lonely.
Practice good oral hygiene: Take extra care of your teeth and gums by brushing and flossing regularly, and consider scheduling a dental check-up to ensure a healthy smile. You can also use whitening products or treatments to enhance the appearance of your smile.
Donate to a dental charity: Support a cause that provides dental care and education to underserved communities around the world. You can donate money, supplies, or time to help people who lack access to quality dental services.
Watch a comedy show or movie: Laugh out loud and enjoy some humor with your friends or family. You can watch a funny show or movie on TV, online, or at the theater. Laughter is the best medicine and it can also make you smile more.
Compliment someone: Make someone feel good by giving them a sincere compliment and watching them smile back at you. You can compliment their appearance, personality, skills, or achievements. A genuine compliment can boost someone’s self-esteem and happiness.
Quotes About World Smile Day:
Here are some quotes about world smile day that you can use:
“A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.” — William Arthur Ward
“Peace begins with a smile.” – Mother Teresa
“There is fear when frowning. There is love when smiling.” – Maxime Lagacé
“Share your smile with the world. It’s a symbol of friendship and peace.”– Christie
Brinkley
“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” – Dr. Seuss
“Smile at strangers and you just might change a life.” – Steve Maraboli
“Smiling is definitely one of the best beauty remedies. If you have a good sense of humor and a good approach to life, that’s beautiful.”– Rashida Jones
“Nothing you wear is more important than your smile.” – Connie Stevens
“A smile is a happiness you’ll find right under your nose.” – Tom Wilson
“Because of your smile, you make life more beautiful.” – Thich Nhat Hanh
Smiling is a simple but powerful way to improve your health, happiness, and relationships. On National Smile Day, make it a habit to smile more often and to share your smile with others. You will not only make yourself feel good but also make the world a better place.
I hope you enjoyed reading this blog post. Please let me know what you think in the comments below. And don’t forget to smile!😊