Monday Wake Up Call

Monday Wake Up Call: Your Motivation, Inspiration, & Direction for the Week Ahead

All Smiles… Good morning! How was your weekend? What brought you joy this past week? What made you smile? Did you know that smiling has many benefits to your well-being? Consider this: Neurotransmitters called endorphins are released when you smile. Endorphins are responsible for making us feel happy, and they also help lower stress levels. Faking a smile or laugh works as well as the real thing – the brain doesn’t differentiate between real or fake, as it interprets the positioning of the facial muscles in the same way. The more we stimulate our brains to release this chemical, the more often we feel happier and relaxed. Endorphins act as the body’s natural painkiller. For sufferers of chronic pain, laughing and smiling can be very effective in pain management, as can laughing off the pain when you bump an elbow or fall. Laughing expands the lungs, stretches the muscles and stimulates homeostasis. This exercises the body, replenishing the cells from a lungful of oxygen. Smiling is an attractive expression, which is more likely to draw people to you, which is great for salespeople. Smiling makes you appear more approachable. Interaction with others is easier and more enjoyable when smiles and laughs are shared, and these behaviors are contagious, making others feel better too. Something to Think About A happy, positive expression will always serve you well in life. This is particularly true for challenging situations such as stressful real estate transactions. Our clients depend on us to stay cool, calm, collected and positive. A relaxed persona indicates confidence and an ability to cope well in stressful situations. Weekly Activity There are many simple ways to bring more smiles and laughter into your life. This week, brighten your days by doing the following:  Smile and laugh regularly.As I mentioned, your brain doesn’t know the difference between a fake smile and a real smile. Laughing and smiling more often will make you feel better, and you will become more likely to smile and laugh spontaneously. Watch funny films, TV and theater shows. Spend time with friends and family who make you feel happy or who cause you to laugh. Find things to smile and laugh about.