Welcome to the second instalment of my new series; Words To Live By. If you didn’t catch last week’s post and want to know how the series came about you can check it out here: Words To Live By: A New Series.
Each week I share the words/quote/saying that we are displaying on our noticeboard at home to help us all have a better week. Something that speaks to us on some level and that we can directly apply to our lives throughout the week.
This weeks words come courtesy of The Killers:
Some days you just feel like crap. Some days everyone seems to be going out of their way to piss you off. Some days your kids get out of bed and decide it would be great fun to see just how far they can push you before you completely lose the plot. On these days it can be so easy to just feel resigned to a shitty day/get angry/cry/reach for the wine, but there may be another tactic you could try out first; smile.
As hard it can be when someone cuts you up at a roundabout, or your kid asks the same question for the hundredth time, believe it or not a smile can actually help. Not the kind of tight lipped half smile that doesn’t reach your eyes, a big beaming giddy smile that flashes all your teeth.
When we are stressed or anxious our brain thinks we must be reacting to some kind of danger and puts our body in fight or flight mode, but if we’re not actually in danger this just makes us feel even more anxious and stressed and creates a vicious cycle. On the other hand, if we smile a big beaming smile our brain realises that we couldn’t possibly be smiling if we were in danger so shuts off the fight or flight response and our anxiety is lessened.
I’m aware that this isn’t a cure all, especially for those suffering depression or anxiety disorders, but it may just help turn our mood around when we are having ‘one of those moments/days’.
Try it yourself now. Smile a big beaming smile like someone just told you you’ve won the lottery and hold it for at least three seconds. I bet at the end of those three seconds your smile actually gets a little bigger. If you’re finding it hard and can only manage a small tight lipped one try thinking about something that made you immensely happy or made you laugh. And don’t worry about looking daft. When we see someone smiling, far from thinking they must be loopy, we strangely feel happier ourselves too, so you won’t just be improving your own mood but the mood of all those who witness it too.
What do you think of this week’s words to live by? Did you manage a smile?
That is such a lovely idea to put in place, I should adopt something like that in my household, just to keep us all mindful that happiness is a state on mind and one we can have some influence over that.
Thank you, we’re loving the idea so far and it’s really working for us x
It’s a lovely idea to have a phrase to get you through the week. Smiling is so infectious and a smile can literally make someone else’s day. Alison x #bigpinklink
Thank you, it really can. Have a great week 😄
Thanks for this. Its so true, you feel a lot better when you smile. When I get annoyed today I will first smile 🙂
#dreamteam
Thank you, hope it works for you x
This is interesting and totally makes sense. I am going to try it the next time I feel anxious. Thanks for sharing with #bigpinklink
Hope it works for you x
Love this series. This is such a great saying…smile like you mean it. Apart from being a great pick-me-up, i think that smiling is very contagious. It can really help to light up a room, or take the edge off someone moody 🙂 Thank you for linking up to the #DreamTeam xx
Annette, 3 Little Buttons recently posted…#DreamTeam Linky 24
Thank you, you’re so right it really is contagious x
I like the idea of having a family quote. I agree that a smile can really help. I try to stop myself and force myself to find the fun when things are winding me up. Thanks for a lovely positive post. #familyfun
Thank you, it can be hard sometimes to find the fun but making the effort can really turn things around x
This is so lovely. What a fab idea. I’m usually a really positive person but have drifted a bit lately so this has reminded me that even something as simple as smiling can improve our mood.
#familyfun
Thank you, I think we all slip occasionally, that’s why I like the board as a little reminder x
This is so true! I remember my primary school teacher used to say that there were ‘happy buttons’ in your cheeks and if you did a big smile, it pressed the buttons and made you happy #FamilyFun
Lucy At Home recently posted…Bloggers Bluff #05: SuzieW Author
That’s really cute, I’m going to use that one with my kids. She sounds like a great teacher x
Love them!!! I think I’m going to be hooked on this series….. love this stuff – apparently even forcing a smile by holding a pencil in the mouth has been shown to help improve mood. Our bodies are amazing aren’t they! Thanks for the reminder about how important smiling can be 🙂
Mindful Mummy Mission recently posted…Wicked Wednesdays #10: Bake me Happy!
Thank you, I’m going to try that pencil trick now! Sorry for the late reply, only just discovered my spam filter had gone a bit haywire.
I love this song! The Killers are fab and this is a great message!
Our Cherry Tree recently posted…Share the Fun at Legoland
Ha ha, I’ve had the song playing on repeat in my head all week x
Haha! The last bit is great. This is the perfect afternoon pick me up to make me smile.
#SharingTheBlogLove
Cathryn recently posted…A/W Homeware Haul
Thank you, hope it helps x
I’m a big believer in the smile. I’m happy positive person but there are the testing days that just grind and grind on me!! Great quote and I can’t help but sing it!! Thanks for linking up to #familyfun
Karen | TwoTinyHands recently posted…A Walk up Clougha Pike
Thank you. I’m the same, can’t say it without hearing the song x
Yes excellent idea, I must say I am probably guilty of putting a meagre slightly fake smile on sometimes, but I should definitely try to mean it a little more – it will no doubt help on the inside too. PS I am now singing the killers! Thanks for sharing at #FamilyFun.
tammymum recently posted…Do You Manage Your Kids Social Media?
I think we’re all guilty of it at times, we should take inspiration from our kids, their smiles are almost always heartfelt. Good luck getting that song out your head x
Very wise words! I like this one, I have heard that doing certain things means you simply can’t stay sad/angry, including saying ‘beep boop’ to yourself. It is just so ridiculous it really does work! xx #sharingthebloglove
Claire recently posted…It’s the little things that get you.
I’ve not heard that one before but makes total sense, I’ll use that one with the kids, bound to get them laughing when they’re in a grump! Thanks for sharing x
The hardest but simplest thing to do sometimes! If you can manage it though, it always seems to make you feel better. Thanks for linking up to #MarvMondays. Kaye xo
Kaye recently posted…The Love to Dream SwaddleUP; The Self-Soothing Swaddle
So true, a case of ‘fake it till you make it’ x
I’ve had a pretty rubbish week over here, but I did manage a smile, and it’s amazing that I actually felt a bit better during it. I’m feeling quite ill, so not sure it’s something I can keep up long, but it definitely boosted my mood a bit. Thanks so much for joining us again at #SharingtheBlogLove
Sorry to hear you’re having a bad week, glad smiling helped a little. Hope you feel better soon x
this is true and just by smiling, it can really change your mood and outlook for a few minutes. I’ve been really trying to keep things in perspective over the last year and its def been helping with staying happy and positive 🙂 #KCACOLS
Emma recently posted…Cauldron Toad in the Hole for Halloween!
Thank you, it’s often the small things that make the difference x
Thank you for making me smile! Such a lovely positive post! It really does work, a smile goes a long way! Happy smiley Sunday!! Xx #KCACOLS
Aww, thank you, glad it worked for you x
I love this so much! I often tell myself when I’m hiding in the toilet having time out from a toddler situation to go out smiling and it will be ok. And it works, the power of a smile! Thanks for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove
Laura – dear bear and beany recently posted…Being An Auntie…The Ordinary Moments
Thank you, it’s amazing what a difference this one small act can make x
I can really relate to this. Thank you so much for raising awareness. Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next Sunday
The Unsung Mum recently posted…The Unsung Mum and the Terrifying Twonado
Thank you, I’ll be back with part 3 x
Smiling, even if I don’t mean it, makes me feel better. Sometimes we need to give ourselves a bit of a kick up the bum to see the positive side of life and this means smiling, even when we don’t mean it.
thanks for this post. Pen x #KCACOLS
Pen recently posted…Co-parenting trouble : what you don’t know can haunt you
It’s amazing what a difference it can it make x
great series idea, I had to go back and read the pervious post.
I love to smile and see my family members smile daily 🙂 #KCACOLS
Thank you, #3 is live now too x
I did and I felt better for it thanks. It’s all to easy to get stuck in our sympathetic nervous system in these busy super fast days so this is a great message 🙂 #KCACOLS
Thank you, you’re right. Glad it worked for you x
Always gotta smile – life would be pretty miserable otherwise! #kcacols
It certainly would x
This makes sense, you can always tell when someone isn’t really smiling in their eyes. I try and think of a nice memory to make myself smile. Things you love at 2
Mummy
Daddy
Kyle
Finlay
Ethan
babies
cuddles
kicking a ball
splashing in puddles
jumping
dancing
sand
books
Peppa
bananas
rocking horse
bricks
Mummies handbag
milk
holding hands
cuddles
kisses
your bed
bubbles
bathtime
the shower
keyboard
singing
making a tower
hula hoops
peanut butter on toast
balloons
giggles
family
putting on shoes
Mummy and Monkeys recently posted…The New Teletubbies Magazine Review
Sorry no idea what happened there! x
He he, no worries. Sounds like a good list for making a little one smile. Thanks for commenting x
Smiling is very underrated! Thanks for the perky post on a stressful Friday morning x #KCACOLS
Poppy Reflects recently posted…Baby Number Two: 34 Week Pregnancy Update
Thank you, hope it made you smile x