Ancient people said, “Appearance is born from the heart,” and this statement is actually very true. Whether a person is doing well or not can often be seen from their expressions and temperament without asking much. Because a person's facial expressions are not formed instantly, but are the result of long-term emotional states. Daily emotions and habitual expressions are gradually etched onto the face. If someone is chronically tense, anxious, and prone to frowning, their body will repeatedly enter a high-stress state, with elevated stress hormone levels, and facial muscles become more prone to stiffness. Over time, the whole person appears tired and aged. Conversely, when someone often smiles and maintains a relaxed mindset, the brain secretes more dopamine and endorphins. These substances not only make people feel happy but also reduce stress responses, making the body and facial muscles more relaxed. Therefore, the true effect of smiling is not just “using fewer muscles,” but the entire physiological response it triggers. When a person feels more at ease and their emotions are more stable, the lines on their face naturally become softer, and their eyes shine brighter. In this sense, learning humor and making oneself laugh often is not about deliberately “pretending to be optimistic,” but a form of self-regulation for the body and mind. When the mindset is more relaxed, the body's chemical reactions will change accordingly. Over time, a person's appearance will also change. This is probably the true meaning of “Appearance is born from the heart.”
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Ancient people said, “Appearance is born from the heart,” and this statement is actually very true. Whether a person is doing well or not can often be seen from their expressions and temperament without asking much. Because a person's facial expressions are not formed instantly, but are the result of long-term emotional states. Daily emotions and habitual expressions are gradually etched onto the face. If someone is chronically tense, anxious, and prone to frowning, their body will repeatedly enter a high-stress state, with elevated stress hormone levels, and facial muscles become more prone to stiffness. Over time, the whole person appears tired and aged. Conversely, when someone often smiles and maintains a relaxed mindset, the brain secretes more dopamine and endorphins. These substances not only make people feel happy but also reduce stress responses, making the body and facial muscles more relaxed. Therefore, the true effect of smiling is not just “using fewer muscles,” but the entire physiological response it triggers. When a person feels more at ease and their emotions are more stable, the lines on their face naturally become softer, and their eyes shine brighter. In this sense, learning humor and making oneself laugh often is not about deliberately “pretending to be optimistic,” but a form of self-regulation for the body and mind. When the mindset is more relaxed, the body's chemical reactions will change accordingly. Over time, a person's appearance will also change. This is probably the true meaning of “Appearance is born from the heart.”