[daphne]

I've been reading in a number of different places lately how smiling can change how you feel. If you are feeling sad/mad/anxious the physical act of smiling actually tells your brain to feel happier and/or more at ease. I went to church as usual this morning, usually I avoid eye contact with people that I don't know and don't smile or talk much. Today I decided to try smiling at people; it actually help me to feel happier and more confident and on top of that people actually came up to me and started talking! Even more amazing I felt no anxiety and chatted easily with everyone who I talked to! I only felt anxious when a couple people wouldn' t look at me, but I decided not to focus on them so my anxiety went away as soon as I stopped thinking about the people who didn't look at me. Wow, what a success for me! :banana

 

[soma]

Smiling worked

Darn right, and good to hear

 

[biggoofybastard]

Amazing the difference it makes.

 

[Ms Deer]

That's great, Daphne! :banana :banana :banana

BTW, I just visited your website. Good job. Well done. You ARE a Cool Steppie! I was a step-mom in my "previous life" so I can empathize with you greatly.

Keep smiling!

 

[MrShow]

Rock on! I love when girls smile at me for that brief moment I feel cool :banana

 

[heavymetal]

:banana

 

[David1976]

smiling does work.. I've tried it myself.. smiling at a cute cashier girl... they smile back and it seems to brighten both our days as well...

 

[daphne]

Thanks to everyone! It really is amazing what a smile will do -- not only for myself but for others as well. Your posts all made me smile!

BTW, I just visited your website. Good job. Well done. You ARE a Cool Steppie! I was a step-mom in my "previous life" so I can empathize with you greatly.

Thank you, it's a lot of hard work, but it's worth it. My stepdaughter loves me, not because she HAS to but because she chooses to.

 

[uranage]

YYAAAAYYY!!! :banana :yay

 

[Mork]

That story put a smile on my face.

 

[glittergaze]

:banana :banana :banana

 

[Webster]

Way to go!

 

[Sweetangel]

cool u used the smile-more technique i also found that when a person smiles at me i feel more comfortable around them and percieve them as friendly so thats what people thought about you when you smiled.
just make a mental note to notice your facial expression and add a smile

 

[Szattam]

Good job!
Smiling and laughing do produce happy chemicals in your body. keep it up!