First impressions are the last impressions, or so they say. We may never find out whether the saying holds true in today’s age or not, but no harm in presenting your best self, right? Keeping your face healthy may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but it is something that demands your immediate attention. How to do so? Well, the first and foremost step to a healthy lifestyle entails exercising, and that holds true for your face too. So switch up with facial exercises that will benefit you manyfold in the long run, leaving you with a fit, healthy and toned face.
Purpose Of Facial Exercises
How Do Facial Exercises Work
Benefits
Types Of Facial Exercises
Face Yoga
Types of Exercises & Poses
Influencers On Instagram
Purpose of Facial Exercises
Source: Instagram
Everyday exercising helps you tone the muscles in your arms, legs and the rest of your body, but do you know how to exercise the muscles on your face? Like any other muscle in your body, facial muscles are important too. The face and neck area comprises 57 muscles which need their fair share of the workout. And while you can always go to the gym or on a run for a fit body, the face needs its own time and attention.
So what exactly is the purpose of exercising facial muscles? Without a doubt, the face is one of the few areas which isn’t much involved in regular motion every day. The movement of facial tissues, whether it’s stretching, smiling or even controlled frowning allows a better flow of blood to the area, energising the tissues and countering negative effects of the skin (think wrinkles, ageing, sagging, acne and the rest). Not only this, it’s a failsafe way to ensure a toned face as the excess muscles start to tone down, giving you a contoured face. All in all, these exercises give you a naturally lean and fit appearance, helping you get rid of immoderate amounts of fat. Sounds good? Try it now!
How Do Facial Exercises Work
Source: Instagram
The skin is the largest organ there is, so it’s only fair that it gets its relevant share of exercise, not to forget that it is the primary cover for muscles, ligaments and bones which are responsible for the make of your face. In theory, when you exercise your facial muscles, the skin on your face tightens and helps in making them taut, in turn giving it a contoured appearance once you have routinely performed the exercises for a few weeks. The increased blood flow to your skin muscles is, of course, helpful in the process of toning your face. While most of this may require more extensive research, we already know that facial exercises increase the flow of blood to the face area, mobilising cells to help you gain healthier skin. Think of it as gymming, but for your face. As dead cells are let go off and new skin cells are renewed, your facial skin also gets a healthy, natural glow devoid of chemicals. Not only this, all toxicity is removed and regular exercising helps gain a taut face, minus the excess fat and chub to give you a toned appearance.
Benefits of Facial Exercises
Increased Blood circulation
Facial exercises increase the circulation of blood to your face, giving your skin cells the much-needed oxygen that they require.
Removal of Dead Cells
They also help get rid of older, dead skin cells, helping your face achieve a glow. Not only this, the increased flow of blood gives a boost to regenerate new skin cells.
Toning of Muscles
Exercising isn’t just good for the body, it’s beneficial for the face too! Besides toning your muscles, it also leads to a fresh-looking face with a natural glow.
No More Breakouts
Everyday facial exercises help with problems related to breakouts and clear your pores of blockage to give you healthy skin that is free of acne, pimples and broken, dry patches.
Smooth & Even Skin
Besides other benefits, exercises related to the face are known to improve the texture of your skin, giving you the smooth and supple skin you desire.
The Natural Contour
Who doesn’t love a naturally contoured look? Facial exercises help you achieve exactly that, relieving your facial tissue of stress to give you a taut face.
Different Types of Facial Exercises & How To Perform Them
For Toned Cheek Muscles
Close your lips and smile slightly. Suck your cheeks inside to the maximum extent you can, and hold the position for 8-10 seconds. Repeat this process for at least 5 times a day in order to tone down your cheek muscles.
Alternatively, take in a mouthful of air so as to blow a balloon, and hold still. With your palms placed against your cheeks, push your hands and cheeks against one another, creating resistance. Hold this pose for 5-10 seconds, depending on your comfort and then let go as you relax. Repeat 4-5 times to tone your cheek muscles.
For Toned Neck Muscles
Move your neck to the left, as you try to touch your shoulder with your ear, and stretching the side of your neck muscles in the process. Hold the position for 8-10 seconds, before repeating it on the other side to complete the set. 4-5 sets of this exercise are ideal in order to tone your neck muscles.
For Removing Excess Folds
Smile widely so that you can touch the folds of your cheek with your hands. Now with your fingertips, push it gently upwards, lifting your muscles in the process and massaging them ever so gently. Not only does this help you achieve a toned face, it is a great way of strengthening cheek muscles.
For Removing Double Chin
Tilt your head back so that you can view the ceiling. Stick out your lower lip as far you can, stretching the skin on your chin. Hold still for 5-10 seconds, before letting go. Take a short break and repeat the same exercise again to help reduce your double chin and eventually get rid of it.
For A Smooth Forehead
Frown deeply, bringing your eyebrows close together so that there are folds on your forehead. Then raise your eyebrows far up, taking them as high as possible. Repeat this entire process about 4-5 times for a toned forehead.
For Strengthening Jaw Muscles
Place both your fists under your chin and make sure your lips are closed. Press your tongue so as to force it down and with your fists, apply pressure to force it upwards. Try holding this position for about 10 seconds, take a short break and then repeat it for about 8-10 times to achieve strong muscles.
Face Yoga
Source: Instagram
In our hectic schedules, it sometimes becomes difficult to focus on the one thing that’s of an utmost importance-our body. And while the rest of our fitness may still be screened, thanks to gyming routines, walking and outdoor activities, our face tends to be ignored in the long run. Not only this, it is found that adults smile much less than kids do, leading to premature age lines, wrinkles and dull skin at an early age. One of the leading causes of premature ageing is said to be stress, which in the long run, shows on your face. And how do you get rid of it? Two words: Face Yoga.
A popular form of yoga (for the face of course!) that’s now in-vogue, the process is something celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Aniston and Meghan Markle, The Duchess of Sussex, swear by. It consists of a series of exercises or asanas, if you may, which cater specifically to the face, relaxing it to give you glowing skin. There is now a multitude of people who have resorted to using this routine for healthy facial skin that is toned and devoid of age lines. These are fairly simple and can be done at a number of places, but more on that later.
Face Yoga – Types of Exercises And Poses
Fish Pose
Suck the excess skin of your cheeks inwards and hold it inside, giving your face the appearance of a fish. Holding your pose, try to smile as much as you can before you let go and relax. Repeat it again for a couple of times and incorporate it into your routine for that sleek, taut appearance.
Mouthwash Pose
Take a deep breath, exhale, and then breath in through your mouth, taking in a good amount of air and holding it in. Now shift the pressure of the air from one cheek to the other, similar to how you would do while using a mouthwash. Continue this for a few minutes before relaxing.
Cheek Lift
Place your index and middle fingers of both hands on your cheeks, covering the area with your fingers. Now gently but with slight pressure, force your cheeks upwards, in the direction of your cheekbones and continue doing this for a couple of times. Following this exercise in your routine will help you achieve the toned face that you desire.
Neck Rotation
The face is important but then so is the neck and the surrounding muscles. Rolling your neck in gentle, circular motions helps you get rid of the excess fat on the back of your neck, along with that on your jawline and on your chin, not to mention stretching your neck muscles during those long hours in front of the computer. When in a sitting position, bend your neck backward and roll your neck gently in a clockwise and then in an anti-clockwise motion for a total of 8-10 times, for relief, muscle movement and toning.
Eye Focus
Need to relax your eyes and eyebrows for a while? Here’s what you need to do. Focus your eyes straight ahead, keeping your eyebrows normal and fix your gaze on a distant object for about 7 seconds. Repeat this from time to time for calming your eyes.
Face Relax
Source: Instagram
We often frown without even realising and it’s not long before it turns into a habit. Like all the aforementioned exercises, it’s also very important for you to relax your face and cut out the constant frowning. Sit down, keep a slight smile on your face, and focus on getting a calm demeanour. Adding this face yoga pose to your routine will help you keep your skin stress-free without folds and wrinkles.
Influencers To Follow On Instagram For The Best Tips
Source: Instagram
The expert behind the sculpted faces of numerous celebrities- Gwyneth Paltrow, Scarlett Johansson and Meghan Markle to name a few, Nichola Joss is the one influencer you should be following for the toned face you desire. From tips in skincare and massages to informative tutorials, this well-known expert is a pro at what she does.
Source: Instagram
Apart from being a face yoga expert, this influencer is also a fitness, nutrition and wellness coach, and divides her time working as a consultant for leading brands, publications, and teaching. She is also the founder of an eponymous face yoga method, in which she offers training. Like her array of talents, her Instagram feed too is filled with infographics, positive quotes and fitness and face related tutorials.
Source: Instagram
A bestselling author of 6 books on face yoga, Fumika Takatsu has been featured in more than 90 magazines and 20 talk shows. Hit the follow button now for a daily dose of inspiration, tutorials and self-care suggestions.
Where & When To Exercise
At Home
Finding time in a busy routine can be tough, but don’t let it make you back down. At home, you could fix a routine and try out some of the exercises early in the morning after you wake up. But if you are not a morning person, there’s always the time before bedtime prior to falling asleep.
The Daily Commute
Those using public transport may be unable to implement this, but if you are stuck in traffic and are sick of sitting in the car at length, utilize your time to complete your daily routine (considering you are not the one driving).
The Long Wait
We have all been there when the wait is just too long. Be it while waiting for a friend you are meeting, for an appointment to begin, or when you are simply sitting somewhere killing time, use your few spare minutes for your facial exercises.
In Front of A Mirror
If you are someone who would rather watch their expressions (to make sure if you are doing them all correctly), this has to be it. Use the mirror on your bedroom wall to exercise your facial muscles and watch your face get toned!
Now that you have figured out how to work your facial exercises, use them ASAP for a toned and taut face!
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This story was updated in January 2019.
