SMILING CAN MAKE US HAPPIER

inspiration Smiling Can Make Us Happier

by Julie Peterson

Asmile makes the brain happy. As it turns out, it doesn’t matter if we smile at first because we’re genuinely happy or if we simply fake a smile. The brain doesn’t know the difference. When we are happy, we naturally smile. But research has shown that the act of smiling can also induce happiness. It happens because the muscles required to lift the mouth into the shape of a smile are connected to nerves that send signals to the brain. rido/AdobeStock.com Once the brain gets the message that a smile is happening, it releases dopamine, endorphins and serotonin throughout the body. These feel-good chemicals make us feel less stressed, less pain and happier, which can effortlessly transform a fake smile into a genuine one.

Platitudes through the ages have urged us to “Turn that frown upside down” and “Put on a happy face.” In 1872, Charles Darwin hypothesized that facial feedback could alter emotions and, ever since, the topic of smiling and mood has been a subject of discussion and research. Whether or not forced smiles can have a strong enough impact on our state of mind to effectively boost overall mental health is still being debated, with some research indicating that “false” smiles can lower mood if used continuously to avoid expressing certain feelings; however, there are several more positive aspects of smiling to take into consideration.

Smiling is contagious. Seeing other people smile stimulates our mirror neurons, which discharge; they discharge similarly whether we’re doing an action or observing someone else do it. So, being around smiling people, seeing them smile, affects our brains as if we were doing the smiling.

Smiling also provides the health benefits of reduced anxiety and lowers both blood pressure and heart rate. Over the long haul, these attributes add up to improved cardiovascular health and a measurable reduction in risk for stroke.

Get more smile time by working these muscles at every opportunity. Fake it if you must until it comes naturally, watch funny shows, spend time with cheery people and when things are looking down, grin and bear it. You might just feel better right away, and better long-term health is certainly something to smile about.

Julie Peterson is a Random Acts of Kindness activist (RAKtivist.com) and an advisor for Kindness Bank, a nonprofit invested in improving community health and well-being.

Intuitive & Healing Arts

Shadow Work, Awakening Your True Potential, with Melanie Ryan

“It is time for us to reclaim what has been lost, uncover what has been hidden and remember what has been forgotten. It is time to awaken our golden shadow,” says Melanie Ryan, psychotherapist, mystic, author and founder of The Golden Shadow Method, A Path of Awakening Your Full Human Potential. Melanie Ryan closed her holistic health center in March 2020 and embarked on a new venture: guiding others on a path of selfrealization doing time-honored practices of “shadow work,” a term coined by the famous psychiatrist Dr. Carl Jung that defines all that is hidden from our awareness.

“The Golden Shadow Method is rooted in the belief that all humans have basic goodness, inherent wisdom, compassion and intuitive powers that are hidden and far greater than ordinary reality tells us,” Ryan says. “My method is full of techniques that can be used to awaken consciousness, and my book offers over 35 shadow work techniques you can do at home. My business is online and international, offering live interactive workshops, private sessions and transformational work. My online shadow work immersions offer mentoring and peer support.”

The Golden Shadow Method offers three vehicles to communicate directly with one’s shadow. These are called the three pillars, and they include Jung and the Shadow, Buddha and the Shadow, and Shaman and the Shadow. Each pillar is a 60- to 90-day shadow work immersion.

For more info, visit MelanieRyanLCSW.com.

ASTROLOGY

Pam Cucinell Phone, online & in person 917.796.6026; InsightOasis.com

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Bernadette Bloom, MI Energy Healing & Teacher 239.289.3744 theesotericbloom.com

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The Temperance Center Merrill Black, LCSW Reiki Master/Instructor Light Body Quantum Healings 914.793.2600 TheTemperanceCenter.com

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Nature’s Whispers Guided Meditative Walks thru Nature Dutchess/Putnam/Westchester 845.489.7250 MeditativeWalks.com

NEW AGE STORES

Persephone’s Pearl Spiritual Development Center Candles, Books, Tarot, Jewelry Psychics, Crystals, Classes, etc. 1014B Main St., Peekskill @persephonespearlpeekskill 914.737.3460 PersephonesPearl.com

The Soul Connection Crystals. Jewelry. Books. More 4 Crestview Ave., Cortlandt Manor, NY 914.737.HEAL soulconnectionshop.com

To market your business call 845-593-0065

Synchronicity Psychics/Crystals Candles/Tarot/Sage 1511 Route 22 Brewster @synchronicityny 845.363.1765 SynchronicityNY.com

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Angel Aura Spiritual Boutique 12 West Main St, Pawling, NY 845.493.0432 AngelAuraBoutique.com

Celestial Touch Laura Schek, Psychic Medium, Reiki Master 7 Arch St, Pawling, NY 845.244.1767 celestialtouchllc.com

QIGONG

In Balance Concepts Qigong. Tai Chi. Meditation 2505 Rt. 6, St. 108, Brewster 845.803.1992 Inbalancetaichi.com

REIKI

Anne H. Bentzen, MSOT Jikiden Reiki Teacher/ Practitioner West Harrison, NY 914.588.4079 balancing4life.com

Edit Babboni, CHC, RYT 200 Reiki Healing. Health Coaching. Yoga. 61 Lakeview Drive, Yorktown Heights, NY 917.721.2529 yoga.zengarden@gmail.com

Laura DeToia In person and Long-Distance Reiki 914.645.7704 MerkabaPeace.com

WELLNESS BOUTIQUE

The Healing Collective NY 267A Central Ave. White Plains Shop & Heal: 914.236.HEAL thehealingcollectiveny.com