National Smile Month is the largest and longest-running campaign to promote good oral health. It is about sharing positive messages and engaging others in developing and maintaining a healthy mouth. Today is the last official day of the month-long campaign, so I decided to share 5 things that help to keep a smile on my face.  

1. Fresh Flowers

I LOVE to keep fresh flowers in my house, but especially in my bedroom.  Seeing a beautiful bouquet first thing in the morning when I open my eyes sets a gorgeous tone for the day ahead. I personally love classic hydrangeas, white or yellow tulips and white roses most.  Something about the white is very peaceful, calming and elegant.  If you have a favorite color, get a bouquet in that tone and place it somewhere that you will see it soon after you wake up.  Flowers also have healing properties!  Each variety has a different “personality” to promote physical and emotional wellness. As Heaven’s masterpieces, flowers are Divine vessels of healing, and Flower Therapy is a method of working with different blossoms—based upon their appearance, fragrance, essence, colors, and energies—to address specific needs and desires.

2. The Beach

The crashing of the waves, the sand in between my toes, and the sun on my face remind me of the beauty of nature and help me to forget any worries or stresses of the day. Earthing or grounding (connecting directly with the earth through nature i.e.. walking barefoot in the sand) is a fast-growing movement based upon the discovery that connecting to the Earth's natural energy is foundational for vibrant health.  is a natural calming technique. Direct barefoot contact with the surface of the Earth, which brims with natural, subtle energy, results in a sensation. The Earth, you see, is an electrical planet, and you are a bioelectrical being living on an electrical planet. Your body functions electrically. Years of extensive research has shown that connecting to the Earth’s natural energy, by walking barefoot on grass, sand, dirt or rock can diminish chronic pain, fatigue and other ailments that plague so many people today. Now thats something to smile about!

3. Nestle Tollhouse Chocolate Chip Cookies

Not all chocolate chip cookies are created equal. Not only do I love Nestle Tollhouse chocolate chips to make my chocolate chip cookies from scratch, I also love their slice-and-bake cookie dough too! (I only like the roll, not the break-apart or tub of dough. Not sure how or why, but they bake differently I find. Another secret, I bake my cookies on aluminum foil, NO BAKING SHEET, and at a lower temperature than recommended. This allows me to consistently achieve perfectly golden cookies that are crispy on the edges and chewy in the center. You're welcome! :-)

4. Listening To My Favorite Playlist

There is clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship.  Music therapy interventions can be designed to: promote wellness, manage stress, alleviate pain, express feelings, enhance memory and promote physical rehabilitation. I literally have a playlist for almost every emotion! Notice which songs you can't help but dance to when you hear them and put them all on one playlist. Can we say instant mood booster?!?!

5. Swinging On Swings

This one may just be my favorite on the list. If EVER there is a swing, I want to get on it! This is so relaxing for me. Channel your inner child. Hop on the swings and reminisce on the good old days when all of your meals were prepared and plated for you, you didn't have to pay bills and the living was easy. Thats sure to bring a smile to your face. :-)

What are your go-to things that make you smile? Make it a priority to incorporate them into your daily or weekly routine if possible.

XO,

Loni