Self-Care with a Chronic Illness: Smile

It's Arthritis Awareness Month! This month I am challenging you to take a little time each day and practice better self-care. Each day I plan to share one simple way you can show yourself some love and appreciation.

Smile. It is so simple. It can be done anywhere, anytime, and while it may be hard at first to turn that frown upside-down, it actually feels really good. For me, it automatically changes the way I am feeling.

According to Psychology Today guest blogger Sarah Stevenson, there are good reasons to smile:

• Scientist and spiritual teachers alike agree that the simple act can transform you and the world around you.
• Each time you smile you throw a little feel-good party in your brain. The act of smiling activates neural messaging that benefits your health and happiness.
• A smile is contagious. (IMO, making others smile instantly makes you feel like a hundred bucks.) 

Give it a try!