EC 6B : Unit 7 Laughter is the Best Medicine

Smiling makes you happy! We all know that being happy makes you smile. But did you know it works the other way, too? Smiling makes you cheerful!

Smiling makes you healthier! Scientists have investigated the connection between the brain, how we behave, and how healthy we are. Your brain releases different chemicals all the time and some of these chemicals make you feel happy. If your brain doesn't release enough of them, you feel miserable. Smiling and laughing use muscles that make the brain release more of the "happy chemicals." These chemicals help protect your body from illnesses. So people who have a good sense of humor have less chance of getting sick.

Smiling is infectious! Have you ever noticed how more people smile when you smile? That's because it's natural for us to copy what other people do. Some people say it's easier to smile than frown because you use more muscles to frown than to smile. There's a saying, "Frown, and you frown alone. Smile, and the whole world smiles with you." So if you're feeling lonely, smile — and you'll soon have friends.