Stop.
What’s your face doing?
Is your jaw clenched? Are you frowning? Maybe you’re like me and keep one of these–
Do you remember my ‘Release the Cheeks’ article? Here’s an excerpt-
“Psychological issues manifest physiologically. It is presumed that if you can squash the physiological signs of stress, that some of the jacked up psychological stuff you’re dealing with, especially the more trivial ish, will resolve on its own.
Thankfully, with a bit of practice, I stay awares of my inner critic and keep her in check, but I also take stock as often as I can remember of the above (relax shoulders, tongue, stomach muscles), and it really does help to break the physiological-psychological cycle. Give it a try and remember to breathe, boo. “
And here’s another–
“Smile to feel good and reduce your stress.”
Do it now.
You feel silly, don’t you? Phony, even. Ask yourself why. Because I’m willing to bet my entire henna stash that you have a gazillion things to be thankful for… a gazillion things to be smiling about. And yet you feel crazy smiling for ‘no reason’. We’ll save gratitude for another #LifeHack article, but know that this tool is even easier than remembering to be thankful. All you have to do is remember to grin!
Try it now. Do it!
You should feel a small bubbling up of peace and even if you don’t experience this instant shift, keep it up and I promise you will. And you don’t have to take my word for it, either. Why? ‘Cause science.
So yes, smile when you have no reason to. Even when you’ve moved 1 mile in 30 minutes in DC traffic. Even when your DVR worked every day but last Thursday night. Even when you have to be somewhere in 5 minutes and Ms. Betty decided to bring her checkbook to Walgreens and she’s two people ahead of you in line with 7 coupons. Smile.
Science says fake smiles work too. But get them eyes involved, boo! I may not flash teeth every time, but I’m smizing! And watch your vibration rise (for all of you law of attractioners). Watch your mood lift. Watch your anxiety melt. Watch people around you feel better too (smiles are contagious!). Watch your life improve.
Later Gators,
Nik
p.s. Need help remembering? Set a reminder on your phone. Or remember to do it every time you walk up a flight of stairs… or every time you get in or out of your car… or every time you cut on a light. Whatever you do multiple times a day, become mindful and add a smile to it! #DontBelieveMeJustWatch
