Did you know that a smile is considered the main symbol of positive emotions? The smile is universal in nature. Each of us naturally understands its meaning. Using a smile to express gratitude, apologize, or share your happiness is a very valuable tool. Are these reasons not enough to learn to smile sincerely and naturally? If you approach the matter thoughtfully and make an effort, then in any situation people will accept your smile and reciprocate.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Train your facial muscles
Step 1. Find out what makes a smile real
Most people can easily distinguish a forced smile from a sincere one - the so-called Duchenne smile (in honor of the author of the first studies on the human smile). The fact is that these two types of smiles involve different muscles and parts of the brain. What happens when you smile? What makes a sincere smile look so genuine?
- With a natural smile, there is a deliberate and unintentional contraction of two muscles - the zygomaticus major muscle and the circular muscle of the eye, thereby raising the corners of the mouth and areas of the face around the cheeks and eyes, respectively.
- With a tight smile, a person uses only the muscles of the mouth, since we are not able to intentionally squeeze the circular muscle of the eye. That is why they say that the whole face, and especially the eyes, participates in a sincere smile.
- Also, different parts of the brain are responsible for different smiles. If a tight smile involves the motor cortex, then a genuine smile is determined by the limbic system or the emotional center of the brain.
Step 2. Practice smiling
Like any part of the body, facial muscles develop through regular exercise. They can be strengthened and kept in good shape, making the smile easier. Exercise your facial muscles and smile to look healthier and younger.
- One of the basic exercises is a simple smile. Pull the corners of your mouth to the sides and hold in this position for 10 seconds. After that, slightly parse your lips and hold in this position for another 10 seconds. When done again, you can smile a little wider.
- The following exercise helps remove fine lines around your mouth: Try puckering your lips and pulling your cheeks in, then smile. Maintain this position until the muscles are tired. Do it once a day.
- Another exercise is called the silly rabbit. Smile as broadly as possible without parting your lips. Then start wiggling your nose back and forth. This allows you to engage your cheek muscles. Hold for 10 seconds and then repeat.
Step 3. Learn to smile with your eyes
As mentioned above, a real smile involves not only the mouth and lips, but also the upper part of the face, as a result of which small wrinkles appear around the eyes. This difference is perhaps the most important between a fake (only mouth and teeth involved) and a natural, genuine smile. A natural smile brightens up the whole face.
- While smiling, the cheek muscles should be lifted. Also, the eyebrows may participate in the process, which become slightly raised.
- Exercise in front of a mirror. For added effect, cover your mouth to see only your eyes and eyebrows. Try to recognize a smile by just the eyes.
- If you are worried about wrinkles around the eyes, then use other methods of dealing with them in addition to a strictly neutral facial expression. Smoking, lack of sleep and direct sunlight are much more likely to cause wrinkles. Eliminate those causes and don't sacrifice a smile.
Step 4. Exercise in front of a mirror
Try smiling at your reflection in the mirror. This can help you understand how your natural smile looks and feels, and you can learn to control your smile and make the best use of it.
- As a child, we were taught to say "cheese!" When we took pictures. In fact, the word "cheese" is not the best choice for a natural smile. Words that end in an open "a" sound (like flour or yoga) allow you to open your mouth and slightly lift your cheekbones, making your smile more relaxed. Train!
- Pay attention to the angle of view. From a certain angle, your face and smile look more attractive. Experiment in front of a mirror and find the optimal side of your face. Use this tilt and side of your face in real communication.
- Some models use this trick: touch the tip of your tongue to the palate just behind your front teeth. This movement allows you to slightly open the jaw and better outline the lines of the mouth when smiling.
Part 2 of 3: Emotional Preparation
Step 1. Create the right mood
People smile in moments of happiness. Did you know that smiling can enhance the feeling of joy? The fact is that a person perceives emotions not only with the brain, but with the whole body. By using the muscles in your face, you can strengthen and even enhance the feeling of happiness.
- When you smile, you naturally want to smile even more. This idea was first put forward by Charles Darwin, better known for his work on natural selection and the theory of evolution.
- Try smiling, even if the smile is forced at first. Using facial muscles, a person is "infected" with a more smiling mood.
Step 2. Chat with happy people
As with our own facial muscles, observing other people's smiles increases our tendency to smile. The reasons are still unclear, but smiling is definitely contagious. Seeing a smiling person, we ourselves involuntarily begin to smile.
- To improve your mood, spend time with cheerful and joyful friends and family. Do you have a funny aunt? Talk to her more often so she can share her mood.
- This rule even works with strangers. The mood can improve from the smiles of strangers with whom we have never spoken. Go where people come to rejoice - parks, zoos, or movie theaters. Look for places where you can meet funny people.
Step 3. Think good
Another way to improve your mood and ability to smile is to remember the happiest moments in your life or loved ones. Choose memories or people whose thoughts bring a warm feeling of joy. It can be a memory from childhood, mom, grandparents, or your significant other. Rest assured, it really works!
- Introduce a person or event. When talking, imagine in the place of the interlocutor the one who is able to cause your most sincere smile.
- This method works even when talking by phone or e-mail. In one way or another, we are able to distinguish a smile simply by the voice of a person, even when we do not see his face. The same goes for emails.
Step 4. Accept your smile
Some people find it difficult to smile due to shyness, embarrassment, or other reasons. For example, men smile less often than women. It is possible that this is due to social conventions. Don't let stereotypes get in the way of your smile.
- You need to change your thinking a little to overcome fear and start smiling. Sometimes you just need to practice. Choose your very best smile.
- If you are confused by other reasons, such as the condition of your teeth, then just visit the dentist and feel confident in yourself.
Part 3 of 3: Perfect Smile
Step 1. Choose the optimal facial expression
As you examine yourself in the mirror, pay attention to your face when you smile. Choose the angle you want, the side of the face, and the width of the smile. There are also some tricks you can use to make your smile more attractive.
- The smile should match the shape of the face. If you have a long face, then use a more vertical smile (without stretching your mouth). If you have a more rectangular face, then aim for a wider, horizontal smile.
- Do you have a large upper lip? Try to show your teeth a little. If the upper lip is thin, then touch the lower lip with the lower edge of the upper teeth.
- Moisten your teeth with water to make them shine in photos.
- Add colors to emphasize the smile. For example, against a background of red or pink lipstick, your teeth will look brighter, while coral or orange lipstick will give your teeth a yellowish tint.
Step 2. Brush your teeth regularly and use dental floss
Good oral hygiene is essential for a perfect smile and self-confidence. Brush your teeth every day. Use an antibacterial mouthwash. Visit your dentist at least once a year to monitor your dental health.
- Don't forget about your gums. Gum health is also important for a healthy smile. Floss at least once a day.
- You can carry all the supplies you need in your purse or backpack to brush your teeth or floss after every meal.
Step 3. Don't use botox
You may have considered getting rid of wrinkles with a Botox injection. Naturally, such decisions must be made after consulting a beautician. It is important to understand that Botox makes the facial muscles immobile and limits the ability to smile.
- When using Botox around the eyes and mouth, a person loses the ability to smile with a sincere and natural smile.
- According to some studies, people feel unhappy and depressed 50% more often after Botox injections. The exact cause has not been established, but the situation may be due to the fact that botox prevents the facial muscles from expressing natural emotions.
Step 4. Whiten your teeth
If you are confused by minor flaws in your smile, then they can be eliminated. Teeth usually have a natural gray or yellow tint that darkens with age. Tobacco, coffee and tea are also the causes of tooth darkening. Initially, teeth don't have to be perfectly white, but many people use bleaching agents to brighten their smile.
- These products contain abrasive particles that will remove stains. They are sold at any pharmacy. Since most of the ingredients in these products are found in regular toothpaste, regular use of whitening products does not harm your teeth.
- Teeth whitening will be more effective. Be sure to check with your dentist first, as this method is not suitable for all teeth. For example, whitening may not be effective for patients with root canals, fillings, crowns, or severe darkening. Perform the procedure only under the supervision of a dentist.
Step 5. Dental intervention
Alas, some people do not always have access to the help of a dentist or they do not know how to properly care for the oral cavity. Anyone will be confused by a crooked or missing tooth, sore gums. Modern dentistry can solve almost any problem.
In the most advanced cases, you can get advice on the restoration of the dentition. Sometimes the help of a maxillofacial surgeon may be required
Advice
- In addition to a unique, sincere smile, the methods described in the article will help you improve your mood and maintain that joyful feeling.
- You can also try a trick such as "funny thought" - a short phrase or situation that remains funny even after repeated repetitions. For example, you might recall a funny moment from a television series. Use several different phrases and thoughts.