Flexible Stuff - Article 7, Sunday, June 16, 2024
Facial Posture!
Understanding facial posture can significantly reduce the look of old age and today, taking ongoing selfies will help you master it.
​
Ideally, when you are relaxed, such as when reading a book, or peering into a Zoom session, you'd like your face to adopt what I call a normal posture, but unfortunately, that is usually not the case.
We all know what body slouching is and are quick to correct it when around others but we are usually unaware of facial slouching (unless someone asks why we seem angry). One of the reasons for this is because when we check ourselves in a mirror, we generally "tighten up" to appear more attractive. Facial slouching, unfortunately, starts when we are very young. By the time we are 70 and older, downturned lips, saggy cheeks, a frown-line, hooded eyes, and deeper wrinkles become our signature look.
The relaxed look appears anytime we stare at the TV or computer screen, read, or become engrossed in some task. It is not, fortunately, a facial requirement and it is relatively easy to overcome by understanding what we need to tighten through simple isometric facial exercises.
To start, become aware of just how often your face goes slack. Do that by setting up a camera to take non-posed selfies throughout the day, then analyze the group later. Keep in mind that you can't change what you don't know you need to change, so selfies are the best way to guide your expectations.
Also, test for weak cheek muscles. Try holding a simple "flat" smile for at least 5 minutes. If your cheeks start twitching from strain, you have work to do.
Although a big happy grin is totally appropriate when you are truly feeling joyful or are laughing your gut out, springing into one when you want to look pleasant is not the answer. If the only way you can smile is to lift your cheeks so high that they obscure your eyeballs, you have work to do.
​
You can change your appearance within weeks by becoming aware of how your relaxed expression appears. With that knowledge, you can target the parts of your facial posture that need strengthening. By strategically performing isometric facial exercises and checking candid photos of yourself, you can measure your success as it is being developed.
Instead of self-consciously raising your eyebrows and forcing a smile when someone comes in the room, then drooping again when they walk away, your facial posture will appear evenly throughout the day (except, of course, when you laugh uproariously or are profoundly sad).
​
There are many facial exercise videos on YouTube, some structured like a gym workout for the face, while others are more casual. I recommend all the tutorials by Doctor Alekseev, a Ukrainian/American chiropractor, neurologist, and kinesiologist on YouTube. Why? Because many of his techniques resemble mine and possibly better, he's humorous as presented with dubbed-in English. Click here for two of his best videos on face lifts: Wrinkles will Disappear and You'll Become Too Beautiful and You Will Be Stolen!
​
Here are two YouTube search ideas: Facial Exercises and Isometric Facial Exercises. I strongly recommend taking advantage of these fabulous and free resources!
​
In my next blog, I'll show you how to take candid selfies, whether at home or at work.
​
Upcoming blogs . . .
​
I post every Sunday. Feel free to contact me with questions at Karen@Littleviews.com.
​
By Karen Little, June 16, 2024