Life is complicated. Sometimes it leaves us feeling low, stressed, anxious or inadequate. In need of some mental relief.
Studies have shown that certain types of pictures can help (ref 1). Viewing things we cherish, feel grateful for or evoke precious memories provide important moments of happiness . And these positive feelings persist. Suddenly we are more able to meet the challenges of the day.
Maintaining a positive outlook in this way has been found to improve resilience to stress and low mood, thus creating an upward spiral of well-being (ref 2).
What makes us feel good is personal to each of us. Use Smilify to build up collections (Smile files) of your special photos, videos and affirmations. There are separate Happy, Calm, Brave and Good Stuff Smile files. Lots of ideas for what to add are provided. Then schedule regular slideshows of your collections and start that upward spiral of well-being. See a different selection each time or items filtered by emoji.
Help your friends and family too. Use the Smilify Sharing feature to send them photos to save or view as a mini-slideshow in their Smilify.
Some ways to use Smilify:
- Create a Happy File of things you love, your blessings and celebrations. Add positive affirmations. Use the scheduler to wake-up to a different selection each morning and start every day on a good note.
- Breathe away those stressful thoughts with the Smilify Breathe Bubble and your Calm File of soothing views and relaxing sayings. Schedule in some regular, well-deserved Calm breaks into your routine too and feel better all day.
- Feeling anxious before an event or activity? Your Brave File affirmations will boost your self-confidence. Remembering your achievements and appreciations will help you go in standing tall.
- Want to say thank-you or well done to a friend? Send them a tagged picture and message for them to load directly into their Brave File
Dont forget to be kind to yourself: there’s a Good Stuff File so you can schedule personal health and well-being notes and reminders and anything else you want to add!
Smilify is free to download. All features and functions in Smilify are available with a single in-app purchase. There are no Ads.
References
Ref 1.
Fernández-Pérez, D., Ros, L., & Latorre, J. M. (2023). The role of the personal relevance of images in retrieving autobiographical memories for emotion regulation: A randomized controlled trial study. Current Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-023-04582-5
Mora-Ripoll, R. (2010). The theraputic value of laughter in medicine. Alternative Therapies, Health and Medicine, 16(6):56-64”
Emmons, R.A., & McCullough, M.E. (2003). Counting blessing versus burdens: An experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(2): 337-389." +
Ref 2
Seligman, M. E. (2011). Flourish A new understanding of happiness and well-being - and how to achieve them. London: Nicholas Brealey
Fredrickson, B.L. & Joiner, T. (2002). Positive emotions trigger upward spirals toward emotional well-being. Psychological Science, 13(2): 172-175
Michael A Cohn, Barbara L Fredrickson, Stephanie L Brown, Joseph A Mikels, Anne M Conway (2009). Happiness unpacked: positive emotions increase life satisfaction by building resilience