Ten things we can do to make us smile

We’ve written before about the benefits of smiling and why people get their teeth whitened. Both these posts have one thing in common – making people smile! When we smile we’re in better form and we feel better about ourselves. Smiling also gives us an opportunity to show off our pearly white teeth… something we know an awful lot about!

There are lots of ways to get yourself smiling – here are just 10…

1. Exercise
When we exercise we release endorphins – a chemical that makes you feel a whole lot better about yourself. The more you exercise, the more endorphins you release, the better you feel about yourself, the more you smile!

2. Save money
Regardless of current financial situations, we all like saving money. Tell anybody they’ve just saved €500 and it’s bound to put a smile on their face.

Take a look at your outgoings and see if there’s anywhere you can save money on. If you find out at the end of looking through your accounts that you’ve saved a few quid, you’ll definitely be smiling.

3. Get a good night’s sleep… regularly
When we’re tired we generally feel rubbish. The day is just one constant yawn – literally. Train yourself to get a regular, good night’s sleep every day and you’ll feel all the happier for it.

4. Meditate
Meditating might not be something many of us would consider doing, but since many of us have quite frantic lives, taking the time out to meditate can keep us grounded.

Do a quick search on YouTube for ‘meditate’ and you’ll come across a video that will transform you to a more relaxed place. Stick with it!

5. Hang out with family (and friends)
Terry Wogan put it perfectly when he said the most important thing in life is family and that everything else is peripheral. With this in mind, make sure to spend as much time with your family as possible. Don’t forget your friends also!

6. Shop!
When you go shopping, you treat yourself. When you treat yourself, you smile… simples!

7. Plan/book holiday
We don’t look at holidays as expenses… we look at them as investments. When we plan them we’re excited and when we’re on them we’re relaxed – two emotions that are widely associated with smiling. Star planning your next one today and you’ll know what we’re talking about!

8. Watch a comedy!
This is one is pretty straightforward… watch Airplane!, Borat, Groundhog Day or any other classic comedy and you’ll be smiling for a good 90 minutes or more.

9. Think/look back over fond memories
Clear all your thoughts for a second and think of your favourite place in the world? Since we’re presuming you’re thinking of a holiday, we’re also presuming you’re thinking of a happy place.

10. Eat healthily
A healthy you means a happy you. Watch what you eat and you’re guaranteed to feel all the better for it.