Smiling brings benefits

At Smile Kombucha, we believe in the power of simple things. Like sorting tea leaves one by one. Debating for twenty minutes whether a bubble feels “too aggressive”. Or realising that making something natural sometimes means nothing goes to plan. And that’s part of the plan.

And of course, smiling.

Because as simple as it looks, smiling is more than just a facial expression. It’s a real ally for your mental and physical health.

1. A health and wellness booster

Smiling isn’t just about looking cheerful. It sets off a chain reaction of benefits in the body.

Neuroscience shows that it triggers the release of dopamine, serotonin and endorphins. These are the famous “happy hormones” that keep you grounded, focused and feeling good.

• Serotonin helps regulate mood, anxiety, sleep and appetite. It brings inner peace, steadiness and confidence.
• Dopamine is linked to pleasure and motivation. It supports focus, energy and the drive to repeat what feels rewarding.
• Endorphins are the body’s natural painkillers. They’re released when you laugh or move, and bring relaxation, calm and even a little euphoria.
  

Even a forced smile can have an effect. It lowers your heart rate and helps you cope better with stress.
Some studies suggest that people who smile more often and more sincerely may live longer. On average, up to seven years longer.

And that’s not all. Smiling can also strengthen the immune system. When you feel good emotionally, your body tends to become more resilient too.

2. A powerful social connector

A genuine smile is one of the most effective ways to create connection. It’s a universal signal. Shared and understood across all cultures.
In a conversation, it softens the mood, builds trust and helps things flow. A smile can ease tension, invite someone in or bring comfort to a friend.

And yes, it spreads. One study showed that the brain naturally mirrors facial expressions. So when you smile, you make people around you want to smile too.

And unlike certain other things that spread quickly, this one we are happy to share.

3. A symbol of happiness

Sometimes, smiling actually makes you feel happier.

This is called facial feedback. The brain reads your facial expression as a clue about your emotional state. So even if the smile is a little forced, your brain still gets the message and sends out those happiness hormones.

It also boosts self-confidence and creates a virtuous loop. The more you smile, the better you feel. The better you feel, the more you want to smile.

Seeing yourself smile in the mirror. Catching someone’s eye. Being perceived as someone cheerful and open. These small moments help shape how you feel about yourself.

4. Why we’re called Smile Kombucha

Let’s be honest. Smile isn’t the most groundbreaking brand name in the world.

Plenty of companies have tried to associate themselves with a smile. Amazon. TUI. Colgate. Telenet. Danone. The list goes on. So yes, we’re aware we’re not the first to think that smiling might be a good idea.

But we didn’t choose the name to be clever. We chose it because it felt right.

Behind the name Smile Kombucha is a company called Optimist Brew Co. What drives us, in the brewery, in life, in everything we do, is simple optimism. The belief that small, positive things can add up to something bigger.

A smile is exactly that. A tiny gesture, barely takes a second, but with real effects. On your mood. On your body. On the people around you.

Same goes for kombucha. Especially when it’s fresh, unpasteurised, and brewed with care. It’s alive, it’s honest, and it does you good.

So no, Smile isn’t a genius branding move. It’s a reflection of what we believe in.

And if our kombucha spark even a small moment of joy, then the name makes perfect sense.

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Sources :

• Pressman, S.D. & Cohen, S. (2005) – Does positive affect influence health? Psychological Bulletin: (PDF) Does Positive Affect Influence Health?
• Wood A, Rychlowska M, Korb S, Niedenthal P. Fashioning the face: Sensorimotor simulation contributes to facial expression recognition. Trends Cogn Sci. 2016;20(3):227-240. doi:10.1016/j.tics.2015.12.010
• D’Acquisto F, Rattazzi L, Piras G. Smile—It’s in your blood! Biochem Pharmacol. 2014;91(3):287-292. doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2014.07.016
• Abel EL, Kruger ML. (PDF) Does Smile Intensity in Photographs Really Predict ...
• Kraft, T.L. & Pressman, S.D. (2012) – (PDF) Grin and Bear It: The Influence of Manipulated Facial ...
• Cohen, S. et al. (2003). Emotional Style and Susceptibility to the Common Cold Carnegie Mellon University
• « Psychosomatique du rire », Henri Rubinstein, Robert Laffont, coll. Réponses/Santé : Psychosomatique du rire - NE - : Le livre de Henri Rubinstein
• Le sourire comme remède au stress : les bienfaits d'une …, psychologie-positive.com
• Facial feedback hypothesis | EBSCO Research Starters, EBSCO

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