While conducting research on the
physiology of facial expressions in the mid-19th century,
Guillaume-Benjamin-Amand Duchenne (de Boulogne) identified two
distinct types of smiles. The eponymous Duchenne smile involves
contraction of both the zygomatic major muscle, which raises the
corners of the mouth and the orbicularis oculi muscle, which raises
the cheeks and forms crow's feet around the eyes.
A non-Duchenne, or politician smile involves only the zygomatic
major muscle. Research with adults initially indicated that joy was
indexed by generic smiling, involving just the raising of the lip
corners by the zygomatic major. More recent research suggests that
smiling in which the muscle around the eye contracts, raising the
cheeks high (Duchenne smiling), is uniquely associated with positive
emotion.
There are also two types of laughter, Duchenne and non-Duchenne.
Duchenne laughter is the type of natural chuckle that people
experience when they see or hear something funny, which is often
contagious. This giggling involves the contractions of the
orbicularis oculi muscle and adds more pain relief than non-Duchenne
laughter, which is emotionless and context-driven. Duchenne laughter
might be so effective because it involves muscle activity much like
exercise, which releases endorphins. The capacity to sustain
laughter for periods of several minutes at a time may exaggerate the
opioid effects.
Showing posts with label Smile. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Smile. Show all posts
Jan 1, 2014
Oct 4, 2013
World Smile Day
Today (first Friday in October) is World
Smile Day®.
Harvey Ball, a commercial artist from Worcester, Massachusetts created the smiley face in 1963. He worried the world lost sight of the meaning of his famous smiley face and thought that we all should devote one day each year to smiles and kind acts. It began in 1999 and has continued every year around the world. Ball passed away in 2002, but 'Harvey Ball World Smile Foundation' was created to honor his name and memory. The Foundation continues as the official sponsor of World Smile Day® each year. Do an act of kindness and make someone smile today.
Harvey Ball, a commercial artist from Worcester, Massachusetts created the smiley face in 1963. He worried the world lost sight of the meaning of his famous smiley face and thought that we all should devote one day each year to smiles and kind acts. It began in 1999 and has continued every year around the world. Ball passed away in 2002, but 'Harvey Ball World Smile Foundation' was created to honor his name and memory. The Foundation continues as the official sponsor of World Smile Day® each year. Do an act of kindness and make someone smile today.
Jul 26, 2013
Eleven Ways to be Happy
Hugs may not be on this list, but
they should be.
Spend money on other people. A study concluded that "the happiest people were the biggest givers, no matter what they earned."
Count your blessings. A University of Pennsylvania professor proved that people who wrote down three good things that happened to them every night were significantly happier than control group who did not.
Try something new. People who try new experiences are generally happier, research has shown.
Delay gratification. Anticipating happiness actually makes you happy. Studies have shown that it's human nature to forestall an enjoyable event.
Expose yourself to more blue. Researchers showed that exposing yourself to the color blue sent "self confidence soaring, cut stress, and boosts happiness."
Set goals for yourself. Psychologist Jonathan Freedman claims that people who set objectives for themselves are happier than those who don't.
Go to church. In a study, people who attended church regularly responded that they were happier and more satisfied with their lives than people who were not religious.
Sleep at least six hours every night. Six hours and 15 minutes a night of un-interrupted sleep makes for the happiest people, a British study found.
Make sure you have at least 10 good friends. Adults who said they had 10 good friends were happier than those who could count five or less close friends.
Fake it 'til you make it. Several studies have shown that just the act of smiling can cause people to experience happy feelings.
Have a romantic relationship. People in relationships were generally found to be happier than other people, and spouses have the highest sense of well-being whether they are happily married or not, according to a study from Cornell University. Of course, listening to "Don't Worry, Be Happy" always makes me smile.
Spend money on other people. A study concluded that "the happiest people were the biggest givers, no matter what they earned."
Count your blessings. A University of Pennsylvania professor proved that people who wrote down three good things that happened to them every night were significantly happier than control group who did not.
Try something new. People who try new experiences are generally happier, research has shown.
Delay gratification. Anticipating happiness actually makes you happy. Studies have shown that it's human nature to forestall an enjoyable event.
Expose yourself to more blue. Researchers showed that exposing yourself to the color blue sent "self confidence soaring, cut stress, and boosts happiness."
Set goals for yourself. Psychologist Jonathan Freedman claims that people who set objectives for themselves are happier than those who don't.
Go to church. In a study, people who attended church regularly responded that they were happier and more satisfied with their lives than people who were not religious.
Sleep at least six hours every night. Six hours and 15 minutes a night of un-interrupted sleep makes for the happiest people, a British study found.
Make sure you have at least 10 good friends. Adults who said they had 10 good friends were happier than those who could count five or less close friends.
Fake it 'til you make it. Several studies have shown that just the act of smiling can cause people to experience happy feelings.
Have a romantic relationship. People in relationships were generally found to be happier than other people, and spouses have the highest sense of well-being whether they are happily married or not, according to a study from Cornell University. Of course, listening to "Don't Worry, Be Happy" always makes me smile.
Mar 22, 2013
Smile for Your Health
Researchers have found what we always
knew. Smiling is good for you. A smile slows down your heart and
reduces stress. These results follows research that proved the act
of smiling can make you feel happier.
Other studies indicate even a polite smile may be beneficial. Frowning also may have a health effect. Preventing people from frowning, such as with the use of Botox can help alleviate depression, according to another study.
A study published in the journal Psychological Science found that people who smiled after engaging in stress-inducing tasks showed a greater reduction in heart rate than people who maintained a neutral facial expression. "We saw a steeper decline in heart rate and a faster physiological stress recovery when they were smiling, even though the participants were not aware they were making facial expressions," according to Sarah Pressman, co-author of the study and an assistant psychology professor at UC Irvine.
Pressman is currently researching how smiling affects certain stress hormones, such as cortisol, and oxytocin. "We've already seen it with heart rate; we are hoping to see it with these other stress levels in the body," she says.
Other studies indicate even a polite smile may be beneficial. Frowning also may have a health effect. Preventing people from frowning, such as with the use of Botox can help alleviate depression, according to another study.
A study published in the journal Psychological Science found that people who smiled after engaging in stress-inducing tasks showed a greater reduction in heart rate than people who maintained a neutral facial expression. "We saw a steeper decline in heart rate and a faster physiological stress recovery when they were smiling, even though the participants were not aware they were making facial expressions," according to Sarah Pressman, co-author of the study and an assistant psychology professor at UC Irvine.
Pressman is currently researching how smiling affects certain stress hormones, such as cortisol, and oxytocin. "We've already seen it with heart rate; we are hoping to see it with these other stress levels in the body," she says.
Aug 8, 2012
Smiling Reduces Stress
Results of an interesting study to
find out if smiling, even forced smiling can reduce stress. The
Study is published in the journal Psychological Science.
Researchers used chopsticks to manipulate the facial muscles of their 169 participants into a neutral expression, a standard smile, or a Duchenne smile. A Duchenne smile engages the muscles around the mouth, raises the cheeks, and includes eyes.
In addition to the chopstick placement, some were explicitly instructed to smile. Then, they were subjected to a series of stress-inducing, multitasking activities, which they struggled to perform while continuing to hold the chopsticks in their mouths. The subjects' heart rates and self-reported stress levels were monitored throughout.
The participants who were instructed to smile recovered from the stressful activities with lower heart rates than participants who held neutral expressions. Those with Duchenne smiles were the most relaxed of all, with the most positive affect. Those with forced smiles held only by the chopsticks also reported more positive feelings than those who didn't smile.
When a situation has you feeling stressed or flustered, even the most forced smiles can genuinely decrease your stress and make you happier.
Researchers used chopsticks to manipulate the facial muscles of their 169 participants into a neutral expression, a standard smile, or a Duchenne smile. A Duchenne smile engages the muscles around the mouth, raises the cheeks, and includes eyes.
In addition to the chopstick placement, some were explicitly instructed to smile. Then, they were subjected to a series of stress-inducing, multitasking activities, which they struggled to perform while continuing to hold the chopsticks in their mouths. The subjects' heart rates and self-reported stress levels were monitored throughout.
The participants who were instructed to smile recovered from the stressful activities with lower heart rates than participants who held neutral expressions. Those with Duchenne smiles were the most relaxed of all, with the most positive affect. Those with forced smiles held only by the chopsticks also reported more positive feelings than those who didn't smile.
When a situation has you feeling stressed or flustered, even the most forced smiles can genuinely decrease your stress and make you happier.
Dec 24, 2009
Best Christmas Gift
Do you know what the cheapest, yet best Christmas gift is?
A smile. It is free, yet timeless and priceless.
A smile. It is free, yet timeless and priceless.
Dec 15, 2009
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