Smile Therapy

P. Sasirega*

Senior Executive, Medical Records Department, Kauvery Hospital, Salem

 

Smile therapy is also known as laughter therapy or humor therapy, is a therapeutic approach that utilizes humor, positive emotions, and laughter to improve overall well-being and promote healing. The goal of smile therapy is to enhance physical, emotional, and mental health by harnessing the power of laughter. It can be used in various settings, including hospitals.

Believe it or not, there is a whole lot of science that’s gone into understanding a smile. There is a scientific definition of a smile that specifies which muscles are involved. A standard smile is one where the corners of the mouth are slightly upturned. A genuine smile is defined as one with both upturned corners of mouth scrunching of the eyes, is called ‘Duchenne smile’ after the French biologist who described it in the mid-1800s.

Smiling can be called as a measure to bring happiness. A study findings reported that one smiling expression have the potential to induce happiness and joy which is equal to eating 2000 chocolates. Research also reported that it is difficult for our brain to differentiate between genuine and fake smile as both produces similar electrical signals, hence there is no harm to fake it until we produce a genuine smile spontaneously.

 Neurological changes induced by Smile

Dr Isha Gupta a neurologist explains a smile spurs a chemical reaction in the brain, releasing certain hormones including dopamine and serotonin. Dopamine increases our feelings of happiness and serotonin is associated with reduced stress.

Positive Physiological Effects of Smiling

  • It simply improves our mood and makes us feel better. It is infectious too if one-person smiles, it is likely that those around them will also want to smile.
  • Smiling is shown to have a calming effect and lower blood pressure.
  • When things are not going so well, smiling can help us deal with stress and remind us we should not sweat the small stuff stress.
  • Studies also show that our immune system can be boosted by smiling.
  • Facial expressions like smiling can actually divert our minds attention away from pain. Laughter and smiling causes the body to release its own natural pain killers.
  • It is hard to argue with someone who is smiling unless they are smiling to get us riled up. When we smile, we are more likely to respond to others with positive rather than negative words.
  • Happy people tend to live longer and enjoy life well into their retirement years. They are also the most likely to have a positive outlook on life.

Enhancing Patient Well-Being and Recovery in Hospitals and Nursing Care

In the healthcare setting, where patients often experience physical and emotional distress, incorporating smile therapy can have profound impact on their overall well- being.

Benefits of Smile Therapy

Reducing Stress and Anxiety

Smile therapy has been found to effectively reduce stress and anxiety levels in Hospitalized patients. Laughter releases endorphins, which are natural mood boosting chemicals, promoting relaxation and reducing stress hormones like cortisol. By creating a positive and cheerful environment, hospitals can help patients feel more at ease and alleviate their anxiety.

Enhancing Immune System Function

Studies have shown that laughter and positive emotions can strengthen the immune systems. When patients engage in smile therapy, their bodies produce more antibodies and natural killer cells, which play a crucial role in fighting off infections. By boosting immune function, Smile therapy can potentially contribute to faster recovery times and improved overall health outcomes.

Pain Management and Healing

Smile therapy has been shown to have a positive impact on pain management. Laughter triggers the release of endorphin, which act as natural painkiller. By incorporating smile therapy into pain management strategies, hospitals can help patients reduce their reliance on medication and experience relief from discomfort. Additionally, laughter promotes blood circulation, which can aid in the healing process.

Improved Mental Health and Resilience

The emotional benefits of smile therapy extend beyond physical health. Laughing releases tension, improves mood, and increases feelings of happiness and well- being. In hospitals, where patients may experience feelings of sadness, fear, or loneliness, smile therapy can provide much -needed emotional support. It can help patients cope with their circumstances, foster a positive outlook, and enhance their overall mental health and resilience

Implementing smile therapy in hospitals can also strengthen the bond between patients and health care providers. Laughter and humor can create a more relaxed and a friendly atmosphere.  When patients feel more comfortable with their health care team, they are likely to actively engage in their treatment and follow medical advice, ultimately leading to better health outcomes.

Smiling is a highly significant component of nurses caring behavior. A genuine smile given by a nurse can do wonders as it conveys acceptance, builds trust and establishes interpersonal relationship.  It also helps nurses to feel better and avoid anxiety or stress burnout in clinical situation.

Importance of Nurses Smile in Patients Recovery

Being a nurse, it’s not an easy task as it demands a lot of patience and hard work to be around the sick or ill. All the times in order to meet their needs, address their queries Smile is contagious and nobody can resist smiling back to a person. Hence, in a distressing Hospital environment smile acts as stress busters for patients and their family members, nurses.

Smiling an Effective Risk Management Technique

At the beginning of the patient experience, the first thirty seconds are the most important that is when the patient is going to decide whether he or she believes us to be a competent and caring EMS practitioner or not. These early seconds set the stage for the rest of the encounter

Making a positive physical approach to the patient and smiling as we introduce ourselves can give the patient positive first impression. Smiling with a patient can provide the patient with much needed relief of their stress it also helps patients remember the positive aspects of their experience

The bottom line is that if patients are less likely they will sue us. If they like us – even if we make a mistake in treatment they are much more forgiving if they feel that we truly cared about them and made them our center of attention.

Overall, smile therapy is a valuable approach that can be integrated into various health care and therapeutic settings, to improve patient well- being, enhance healing and promote a positive and supportive environment on their healthy journey.

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