SMILE!
YOUR BODY WILL THANK YOU
For some people, their teeth might be the part of their body they’re most insecure about. And this insecurity, whether purposeful or not, can prevent people from
and you feel less stressed. Participants in one blind study who used chopsticks to keep their mouths in the smiling position reported having better recovery during a stressful task than those whose mouths were in a neutral position.
stress hormone, actively suppresses your immune system to keep your body in its “fight or flight” mode. So when you feel happier and less stressed, your immune system has the resources to function correctly and keep you healthy. Smiling reduces pain. Those handy happy neurotransmitters your brain releases also act as natural painkillers; serotonin, in particular, is one of the most powerful. And when you grin, your body also releases endorphins, which are opioid peptides. If the word opioid sounds familiar, it’s because it is the medication class many popular prescription painkillers fall into. So, smiling is a natural way to relieve pain without medication. If your teeth insecurity stops you from smiling, you’re missing out on many natural health benefits. Talk to your dentist today to find a resolution that will leave you happy and healthy!
smiling openly when they’re happy, excited, proud, or just being silly.
Smiling reduces depression.
You may be thinking, “Okay, and? It’s not like smiling is necessary to survive,” but in some ways, it is. It turns out that smiling is an integral part of our health, and when we miss out on those big grins because we’re embarrassed, our health suffers. If you’re wondering how it works, here are four ways smiling benefits our health.
When you smile, your body releases “happy” neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, and research shows that the
intent of the smile doesn’t matter. Meaning, you can trick your body into releasing hormones that make you feel
better just by smiling!
Smiling makes you feel less stressed. Research shows that when you smile, even if it isn’t genuine, your heart rate decreases,
Smiling boosts your immune system. As happy neurotransmitters release into your body, your cortisol levels drop. Cortisol, the
PREVENT SCIATIC NERVE PAIN Strengthen Your Back With Simple Stretches
Unfortunately, there is no one thing anyone can do to completely prevent back injuries, but there are a few simple stretches you can perform at home to help increase back strength and avoid the risk of injury and developing sciatic nerve pain. Stretch No. 1: Spine Strengthening Stretch Lie on your stomach with your legs straight out and your arms extended above your head. Then, bring your elbows down to your side so your hands are under your shoulders. Gently press into your hands so your chest slowly lifts off the floor. Finally, release to the starting position, and repeat 3-5 times. Stretch No. 2: Knees-to-Chest Stretch Lie on your back with your legs extended straight and your arms at your side. Take a deep breath while using your hands to bring your right knee toward your chest. As
you breathe out, pull your knee across your chest (for example, pull the left knee right and vice versa) and hold. Release the knee, return to the starting position, and repeat with the other leg. Stretch No. 3: Wall Stretch Face away from a flat wall, lean against it, and slowly slide your body down while extending your knees over your toes (imagine a chair). Hold this squat position for 5-10 seconds before releasing and standing straight up again. Repeat 3-5 times. It’s a good idea to perform these stretches after waking up, before you go to bed, or both. By taking just 5–10 minutes out of your day to complete a few simple stretches, you’ll strengthen your back and reduce the risk of developing an injury that may result in a pinched sciatic nerve.
We mentioned on Page 1 that sciatic nerve pain is a physical issue, and what’s more, it’s a back issue. So, you may be wondering, “How can I avoid developing sciatic nerve pain?” The answer is to take care of your back! If you’re someone who sits for extended periods of the day, your back is essentially just wasting away. This makes it weaker and more prone to things like herniated disks and poor posture — both common culprits for a pinched sciatic nerve.
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