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A smile may not get you into the movies, but it’s a surefire way to beat the blues
From pool parties to nights on the patio, summer is prime time for great spirits. But, if you’ve got a case of the summertime blues, then using the 1 7 muscles it takes to smile may seem like a super-workout. Research suggests, however, that smiling can actually make you feel better, since it releases a brain chemical that helps to reduce the body’s stress level. Well, score one for the gals, as studies show that women smile more than men. "Probably because, throughout history, women have been expected to be more accommodating," says Bart Testa, who teaches cinema studies and semiotics at the University of Toronto. Men, on the other hand, have been socially conditioned to think of smiles as feminine. ‘You wouldn’t catch an image of an ancient Roman, or any official male throughout history, smiling. It was regarded as a foolish indulgence," confirms Testa. ... more...
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