An average adult smiles about 20 times per day, and babies flash a full-fledged, ear-to-ear smile up to 400 times a day. Smiling benefits our health and well-being, and positively impact those around us. It can make a huge difference to one’s social and personal life – not to mention also make a person more likable and approachable. Above anything, it can relieve stress and anxiety too.
Nearly nine out of 10 Indians suffer from stress. Some recently release findings suggest that stress levels in Indians are higher in comparison to people from other developed and emerging countries, including the US, the UK, Germany, France, China, Brazil and Indonesia. Stress is known to exacerbate, among other things, the chances of succumbing to health conditions such as heart diseases and high blood pressure.
Speaking about this, Dr KK Aggarwal, former president, Indian Medical Association, said, “Our body is the largest pharmaceutical group in the world and has the capacity to heal diseases and relieve stress. Music and dance are ways to initiate positive changes in the body and mind. Singing or listening to music and dancing can reduce respiratory rate leading to a parasympathetic healing activity. When a person is absorbed in music or dance, there is a change in the body’s biochemistry. These are healing mediums and can alleviate a person to the Turya state — that where the performer and the audience become one.”