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Smiling Makes You Run Faster

March 30, 2023

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Matt & Ashley

The Power of Smiling While Running

Did you know that smiling can actually make you run faster? I’ve always said that smiling makes you run faster and burn more calories. But I actually didn’t know it be scientifically true until I did more research. It may sound strange, but the power of positive thinking has been proven to increase performance in athletes. Here’s what science says about the connection between smiles and speed.

The Science Behind Smiling and Running

Smiling while running has been found to be an effective way to increase performance. A study conducted by researchers at the University of Kansas compared two groups of runners: one which smiled while running, and another which did not. The results showed that those who smiled ran faster than those who didn’t. The participants also reported feeling less stressed and more energized after their runs when they had smiled throughout it.

The key reason why smiling helps runners is because it releases endorphins into the body, which are hormones responsible for reducing stress and improving overall mood. Endorphins also help relax muscles, leading to improved physical performance in activities such as running. Additionally, smiling triggers a domino effect; when we smile we feel happier which leads us to perform better due to increased confidence and improved self-esteem.

Smiling During Runs

Now that we know why smiling helps us run faster, let’s discuss how we can incorporate this into our daily runs. First, it's important to remind ourselves why we love running; focusing on the positive aspects of our activity will help improve our outlook towards it and motivate us even further. As soon as you start your next run, try forcing yourself to smile – even if your facial muscles don’t want to cooperate! Focusing on the act of smiling instead of on any physical discomfort will allow us to push through any obstacles we may encounter along our route.

Still doubting it? Put it to the test! Smiles are powerful tools that can have an impactful effect on our runs. Taking just a few moments out of each run to focus on formulating a smile can provide tremendous benefits both physically and mentally; from increased performance levels due to reduced stress levels all the way up to improved self-confidence resulting from increased happiness levels! So give it a shot – put a big grin on your face during your next jog around town or in the park – you never know what kind of improvements it could bring! Happy running!

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