To Look Younger…About Face!

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When attempting to accomplish a physically difficult task such as weight lifting with a group of over- 50 friends…it certainly helps perseverance to have a sense of humor.  I try to keep us smiling- though sometimes it happens unintentionally.  Some of the biggest laughs have been over my facial expressions when pounds are added to the bars.  Apparently, my eyes get big…brows go up…and mouth drops open.

Recently, an article from O Magazine online caught my attention when facial expressions were said to be one of the reasons some women look older than they are.  In fact, this particular article said if I am aware of times I make the faces, I can then be determined to change the face.  After reading the article, I now try to think of something else when I know the weights are heavier, so that my face is not doing the same thing.  I can also remember reading women should not drink from straws because it will develop more lines in the mouth area…so ten years ago, I ceased drinking with a straw!

I did locate one article online from a dermatologist named Doris Day.  (Don’t you just love it! I really wonder how many Doris Days there are in the world named for that wonderful actress and singer known for her smiles and sweet demeanor on screen.)  Dr. Doris Day says:

“The first thing is to become aware of the expressions you’re making. I’m amazed at how often patients say they are not even aware of when or how often they furrow their brows or squint. Try testing yourself by thinking up scenarios that will elicit various emotions and then glance in the mirror to see how your face is reacting to the emotion. I find it hard to think of the emotion while I am looking in the mirror, so I look away, think of something intense and then look in the mirror to watch my expression. I suggest that you do the same. Do you raise your eyebrows a lot, causing forehead wrinkles? Do you squint? Wrinkle up your nose? Pout? I see patients every day who claim that they are just very expressive, but really they’re making the same 3 expressions over and over. You clearly don’t want to be expressionless, but the more you “make a face,” or the more you repeat the same expression over and over, the more you’re etching that expression on your face. You’ll achieve and maintain the best results if you know how to minimize your expressions.” 

On the other side of the face and aging debate, I can remember a woman years ago who believed women should make the same facial expressions daily men do when they are shaving.  She contended that men have less wrinkles because they go through facial exercises every day in the process, therefore tightening the face muscles.

Oh well. As Doris Day sang:

“Que sera, sera,
Whatever will be, will be;
The future’s not ours to see.
Que sera, sera,
What will be, will be.”

We are going to wrinkle…we are going to age…but I can watch those workout facial expressions and see if I can look younger a little longer!!

What do you think…should we be concerned about the way we workout our face?

Thanks for stopping by the Joy Boutique…the best facial expression is your smile! Exercise it often….and  have a great week everyone!