Stress, depression and mental illness are becoming much more common than they used to be, and stress is now the most common cause for people taking a long time off work. We all need to think more about our stress levels and try and manage them a bit better.
One of the easiest ways to improve your mood is to smile and laugh more. Even forced laughter has been shown to make people feel less stressed, and "laughter therapy workshops" are being held across the country. Try it – laugh for 30 seconds, even if you don't feel like it, and you will probably find yourself smiling.
Some people don't feel confident smiling because they don't like their teeth, or they have teeth missing, but it is so easy to remedy this situation now. Teeth whitening, veneers and even dental implants are available easily, and can increase confidence.
It won't only make you feel better if you smile and laugh more. How many times has a friendly smile from a stranger made you feel better? Maybe we should all try and lose our reserve and smile at people more.
Of course, if you think you are suffering from depression, serious stress, or other mental illness, then you should really visit your GP. There are also lots of really good charities who can provide assistance and advice on dealing with stress and improving your mood if you think you need to.
