Facial expressions are the transmission channel for our thoughts, emotions and feelings. A frown usually communicates anger or frustration, but you may have a tendency to frown even when you're not experiencing these kinds of emotions. Laughing and smiling can have positive effects on physical and mental health, so it's best to take advantage of them. By controlling your facial expressions and monitoring and improving your mood, you can start pouting less and smiling more.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Controlling Facial Expressions
Step 1. Remind yourself that smiles and laughter are good for body and soul
Smiling more and laughing frequently can have a significant positive impact on your daily life and your well-being in general. Plus smiles and laughter are contagious, so you have the opportunity to improve the day of the people around you too.
- Laughing and smiling also help reduce stress. With every smile or laugh, the stress decreases, in the same way as when exercising you cause the body to release endorphins, the chemicals of good mood.
- If you consciously strive to smile and laugh more each day, you automatically become more resilient to life's challenges. Being more resilient in difficult situations can help you feel more fulfilled and happy.
Step 2. Relax your forehead
Perhaps the easiest way to stop pouting is to straighten your forehead when you feel your facial muscles are contracted. You can massage the area between the eyebrows using your index and middle fingers if you feel you have them wrinkled.
Step 3. Determine if you need glasses
You may have a frowning expression and frowning eyebrows because you have a hard time seeing clearly. You may squint and frown in an attempt to fix the problem. If you have been suffering from headaches lately, have blurred vision, or your ability to see has changed, consider seeing an eye doctor. He will prescribe you a pair of contact lenses or corrective glasses or may suggest laser surgery.
Step 4. Keep a mirror on your desk
If possible, place a mirror on your office desk to monitor your facial expression and correct it if you find yourself pouting. If you are a student and there is a mirror in your class, try to sit near it.
- Also place a mirror near the sofa at home.
- Don't constantly stare at yourself in the mirror. It is enough to observe yourself from time to time to check that you have a relaxed face.
- Test your new facial expression in the mirror. Practice smiling and then relaxing your facial muscles. Repeat the exercise for a few minutes.
Step 5. Get help from loved ones
Friends and family can be of great help as they can control when you pout. Let him know what your goal is and ask him to get noticed when you put on a frown. You may be so used to your grim face that you may no longer be able to notice that your facial muscles are wrinkled and contracted. Since you can't see yourself except by standing in front of the mirror, you can ask people around you to warn you when your gaze becomes stern.
For example, try saying, "I've noticed that people tell me that I often sulk, although I don't even realize it. Can you please let me know when you see me sulking so I can change my expression?"
Step 6. Stick a piece of duct tape to your forehead
When you are at home, you can practice trying to stop sulking, even while you sleep. Take a piece of transparent adhesive tape and stick it between the eyebrows; it will create a barrier on the skin that will prevent you from putting on a frown and frowning on that part of your face. Since you may have a pouty face even while you sleep, you can use this same method to force yourself to keep your muscles relaxed even while you sleep.
Be careful not to stick the duct tape directly on the eyebrows so as not to risk tearing them when it's time to take it off
Step 7. Smile
Working out with facial expressions can help you get out of the sulking look, but at least initially you may have to force yourself to smile until it comes naturally to you. Try to actively motivate yourself to smile throughout the day. For instance:
- Smile every time you meet someone;
- Smile every time you catch a person's eye.
Step 8. Wear sunglasses when outdoors
On particularly bright days it is normal to squint to protect them from the sun's rays, thus assuming a frowning appearance. The best way to avoid this is to wear sunglasses so you can keep your facial muscles relaxed.
Part 2 of 2: Monitoring and Improving Your State of Mind
Step 1. Find out where that tension comes from
Maybe that frown is not a natural attribute of yours, but rather a symptom caused by a stressful life. During the day, when you notice or someone points out that you have a frown, try to evaluate what are the possible sources of your stress.
- For example, you may find that pouting occurs when you meet a certain person or are assigned a task in a particular subject.
- Record the information collected in a diary for more careful analysis. Notice how often these episodes occur.
Step 2. Find ways to eliminate or relieve stress
Once you understand what causes your stress, consider which ones you can eliminate and which ones you can take action to mitigate the negative effects. You will be much less sulky or even stop being sulky altogether if you find a solution to your problems.
For example, your partner may be texting you constantly complaining about their problems at work and it may be stressing you out. Maybe you could ask him to tell you all at once when you are home or maybe during your lunch break so that he doesn't distract you from work
Step 3. Make a written list of the events you are looking forward to
During the day, when you find yourself frowning, put your frustrating thoughts aside for a moment and write a list of situations that make you happy. It can be simple circumstances, like a tasty dinner after work, or something even more exciting, like an upcoming vacation.
This simple exercise can provide you with temporary relief from everyday worries and allows you to focus on more positive situations
Step 4. Encourage yourself to laugh
Perhaps one of the most effective ways to stop pouting frequently is to start having a lot more laughs! Watch more comedy movies so that funny sketches come to mind during the day that will make you smile. It's an excellent strategy to approach life with more humor.
- Search for new jokes on Google or download a joke app on your smartphone.
- Download or screenshot funny pictures or memes and review them throughout the day.
- Spend more time with the wittiest and funniest friends you have.
Step 5. Plan something fun for the future
If you feel like you don't have a lot of events to look forward to, but even if you don't, start planning some recreational activities to do alone or with friends. For example, consider planning a vacation, going to the beach at the weekend or going to the cinema to see a movie you like.
Ask your friends if they have any suggestions
Step 6. Take breaks
Sometimes the stress and the resulting frown can result from excessive fatigue and workload. Remember that you can't stay productive if you don't take care of yourself and your needs, which include taking time off from work. If you find that your body and face muscles are often tense while doing a certain task, stop for a few minutes and listen to a song or take a walk outdoors.
You can also eat a snack to give you a boost
Step 7. Learn to handle negative comments
You may find that pouting is triggered by the negative words of others. People might say nasty things, like "Wow, you always look very angry." These comments, especially if they are frequent, can be rude and annoying. You should be ready to reply in a respectful but direct way.
For example, you might say "I'm sorry you think so, I'm actually very calm. Anyway, thanks for asking."
Step 8. Be kind to others
Another way to improve your mood and stop sulking is to be available to other people. This can be a small, courteous gesture, such as bringing a friend or colleague a coffee, or a larger community service, such as volunteering at a soup kitchen. In any case, try to find time to be kind and helpful towards someone. When you do good to others, you are also good for yourself.
