FOR years, psychologists agree that a smile is a true sign of enjoyment. In a research conducted by Richard Davidson of the University of Wisconsin, he has confirmed the unique link between positive emotion and true smile. In a more recent study of Wayne University in 2010, found out that the span of a person's smile could actually predict the span of life.
Humans are considered naturally smiling species, in fact, we were actually born smiling. The 3-D ultrasound technology would show that developing babies appear to smile even in the womb. After babies are born, babies continue to smile and even blind babies smile in response to the sound of human voice.
Smiling has also proven to have therapeutic effects like reducing stress hormone levels (like cortisol, adrenaline, and dopamine), increased health and mood enhancing hormone levels like endorphins and lowers blood pressure. And in a study by Penn State University, it confirms that when we smile we appear more likable and courteous.
This month, Bacolod City, the City of Smiles, is celebrating the Masskara Festival, wherein you find yourself walking around a sea of smiling faces, you have to flex those muscles at the sides of your month and smile because:
* when you smile, you look good and feel good
* when others see you smile, they smile too
* when others smile, they look good and feel good, too
A smile is the most basic expression of all humans and we can use our smiling powers to positively impact others in our surrounding. Smiling also reduces stress.
Recently, the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Bacolod Executive in collaboration with Kalipay Negrense Foundation Inc. (KNFI) reached out to Bacolod children this Masskara Festival through their project called #GivingBackTheSmile. They distributed teddy bears to sick children admitted to hospitals and those who are fighting cancer.
JCI-Bacolod executive president Mhel Enderes Sillador shared this collaborative project is the realization of Kalipay's vision of bringing joy to disadvantaged children and JCI's Value of "service to humanity is the best work of life"
They gave out these bears that brings joy to the beneficiaries of Suntown Camp Foundation Inc., an organization that brings together children who are either ill with cancer or in remission, children who have parents that have been diagnosed with cancer and children with serious illness.
JCI member Paige Alitao demonstrated basic self-defense proving that once age and circumstance in life are a not hindrances to be strong and stand tall against bullying.
After giving bears to the Sundown Camp Foundation Inc. children, they handed more bears to the patients of the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital in the pedia ward.
Truly, the children had a reason to smile when they received the bears, thus, bringing joy to their lives.