微笑的力量
The Power of a Smile
王淑怡 供稿
It is no secret that smiling is contagious. But do you know how powerful a smile can be? It brings benefits to us both physically and mentally. Here are some of the benefits that you can get from a simple smile.
众所周知，微笑是会传染的。但你知道微笑有多强大吗？它给我们的身心带来诸多好处，下面就是一个简单的微笑带来的几个好处。
1. Smiling releases endorphins and relieves stress
1. 微笑可以释放内啡肽，缓解压力
Feeling stressed out and over-loaded? Try smiling. According to recent studies, smiling has the power to reduce stress and increase our ability to deal with trying situations. This is largely owing to the fact that smiling boosts endorphin output and forces us to breathe deeper, resulting in a calmer outlook and increased coping ability.
感到压力太大、负担很重吗？试着微笑吧！最新研究表明，微笑能够减轻压力，提升我们应对困难的能力。这很大程度上是因为微笑可以释放内啡肽，迫使我们深呼吸，从而让我们更加平静，应对能力更强。
When you smile, even when you force it, your body releases the “feel good" hormones and endorphins, which will put you in a much better mood and relieve stress.
当你微笑的时候，即使你是在强迫自己微笑，你的身体也会释放让你“感觉良好”的荷尔蒙和内啡肽，这会让你心情更好，也能缓解压力。
2. Smiling boosts the immune system
2. 微笑可以增强免疫系统
Smiling really can improve your physical health. Your body is more relaxed when you smile, which contributes to good health and a stronger immune system.
微笑确实可以改善身体健康。当你微笑时，身体会更放松，这有助于保持身体健康和增强免疫系统。
In addition to making you look more attractive, successful and approachable, smiling may also protect you from the common cold. According to recent data, smiling can help boost the immune system by decreasing stress levels, which in turn increases white blood cell count and releases beneficial antibodies that help fight infection and disease.
微笑不仅能让你看起来更有吸引力、更成功、更平易近人，还能让你免受感冒的困扰。根据最新数据，微笑可以通过缓解压力来增强免疫系统，增加白细胞数量，释放有益抗体，帮助你对抗各类感染和疾病。
3. Smiling is contagious
3. 微笑具有感染力
There are many facial expressions a person can make, but only a smile has the power to brighten and make your day. Moreover, it can even act on the moods of people around you.
人们可以做出很多面部表情，但只有微笑能够让你一天都变得明亮美好。此外，它甚至可以影响你周围人的情绪。
According to science, neurons in the brain have a synchronizing feature that keeps you in sync with people you’re talking to. If they smile, you’ll smile. In a study that was conducted in Sweden, researchers found that people found it really difficult to frown, when they were looking at other people who were smiling and they couldn’t help smiling themselves.
据科学研究，大脑中的神经元有同步功能，可以让你与你的谈话对象保持同步。如果他们微笑，你也会微笑。在瑞典进行的一项研究中，研究人员发现，当人们看到其他人在微笑时，他们很难皱起眉头，并且自己也会忍不住要笑。
4. Smiling Suggests Success
4. 微笑和成功密切相关
Studies suggested that individuals who smile often appear more confident and more likely to be approached. It would be a great idea to put a smile at important meetings and business arrangements. You may unexpectedly find that individuals will respond to you.
研究表明，经常微笑的人显得更加自信、更有亲和力。在重要会议和商务活动中面带微笑不失为一个好办法。你会惊喜地收获他人的回应。
【VOCABULARY】
1. contagious adj. （情感）具有感染力的，（疾病）传染的
2. endorphins n. 内啡肽
3. trying adj. 令人厌烦的，难对付的
4. hormone n. 激素；荷尔蒙
5. white blood cell. 白细胞
6. antibody n. 抗体
7. neuron n. 神经元，神经单位
8. synchronizing adj. 同步的
9. frown v. 皱眉；蹙额
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