Smile

Problems keep us from smiling.  Parenting alone brings huge challenges from financial to physical to emotional.  But we need to keep a positive perspective and always wear a smile on our faces because smiling brings a lot of benefits both physically and mentally.

Smiling improves your health.  Smiling when under stress slows your breathing and heart rate, making you feel relaxed.  Smiling not only makes you feel better but it also makes you look better. Have you ever wondered by people smile when their photographs are taken? 

Smiling improves your mood.  Smiling sends a message to your brain that you are happy.  When you smile, your left frontal cortex, the area of your brain that registers happiness, is triggered. Studies confirm that when people are smiling their bodies produce physiological changes that reflect their emotion; they feel better and feel happy.

When you find it difficult to smile, consider the following suggestions:

1. Look at laughing babies









2.  Watch twins talk

3.  Look at the photos of cute puppies

 

4. Touch nose with your child









5. Revisit old photos of your family and recall the stories behind these photos

6.  Recount happy moments with friends









7.  Count your blessings

Single moms, when you find it difficult to smile, remember the time you first held you precious one in your arms. Some women are not blessed to have a baby and therefore do not know the joy of being a mom, the joy of feeling something alive growing in your belly, the joy of seeing that live being for the first time, the joy of witnessing your child become someone great.

Single moms, when you find it difficult to smile, think of your kids’ love for you!