Laughter and Smiling: Medicine for the Soul 

We Forgot How to Smile  

Somewhere between responsibilities, deadlines, heartbreak, and survival mode, many of us forgot how to genuinely smile. Not the polite, “I’m fine” smile—but the kind that starts in your belly and radiates outward. As a woman, a mother, a leader, and a coach, I’ve watched this happen over and over again. Strong women carry heavy things quietly. We push through. We endure. And often, we forget that joy is not a luxury—it’s a necessity.  

Laughter and smiling are not signs of weakness or avoidance. They are powerful tools for healing.  

The Science Backs the Soul  

When you laugh or even smile intentionally, your brain releases endorphins—your body’s natural feel-good chemicals. These reduce stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which are often chronically elevated in women navigating trauma, overwhelm, or burnout. Laughter increases oxygen intake, stimulates circulation, and relaxes muscles that have been holding tension for far too long.  

In simple terms: smiling changes your nervous system. It tells your body that you are safe right now.  And safety is where healing begins.  

Laughter Breaks Survival Mode  

Many of the women I work with have lived in fight-or-flight mode for years. Trauma, financial stress,  single motherhood, betrayal, loss—these experiences wire the body to stay on guard. Laughter interrupts that loop. It creates a pause. A breath. A moment where the body isn’t bracing for impact.  

That moment matters.  

Laughter doesn’t erase pain, but it gives your nervous system a reset. It reminds you that you are more than what you’ve survived.  

Smiling Is an Act of Rebellion  

Choosing to smile in a world that profits off your exhaustion is radical. Smiling doesn’t mean you ignore reality—it means you refuse to let hardship steal your humanity. When you smile,  you reclaim your power. You say, I’m still here. I still feel. I still believe in better. 

Smiling also creates ca onnection. It’s contagious. One smile can shift the energy in a room, in a home, in a workout, in a conversation. Healing multiplies when it’s shared. 

Joy Is a Practice, Not a Personality Trait  

Some people believe joy is reserved for the lucky or carefree. I disagree. Joy is built through small, intentional habits—just like strength, confidence, and resilience. You don’t wait until life is perfect to laugh. You laugh so life becomes lighter.  

Put on music that makes you move. Watch something that makes you laugh out loud. Surround yourself with people who don’t require you to shrink. Let your body remember what joy feels like.  

Your Soul Needs Joy to Thrive  

We train our bodies. We discipline our minds. But the soul needs nourishment too. Laughter and smiling feed the parts of you that no workout or meal plan can reach. They remind you that healing doesn’t have to be heavy all the time.  

Sometimes, the most powerful medicine isn’t another strategy—it’s a moment of joy.  And you deserve that. 

Ready to transform your life completely?

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At Think American, we’re all about progress over perfection—because the American spirit is rooted in resilience, routine, and rising to the challenge. Coach Rosemary’s message is clear: you don’t need fancy equipment or a complicated fitness plan. You just need to start. Lace up your shoes, step outside, and put one foot in front of the other. The road to better health, more energy, and mental clarity might just begin with a daily walk.

For more inspiration and actionable tips, follow @rosemarybonner_ on Instagram—and keep showing up for yourself. Because strong citizens build a strong America.