bleach
Banned
..is something I've been working on lately. A while back, I came to realize that my facial expression during anxious moments is very unattractive, half-scowl and half-grimace, and was definitely turning off most people i met. So I decided to take a friend's advice that I should try to smile more.
The problem is that I've always found it kind of awkward and difficult to just start smiling on command -- pictures have always been a problem for that reason, too. So, although it seems kind of goofy, what I've started doing is practicing smiles when I'm alone.
The weird thing about it is that even when I am smiling by myself, I suddenly feel... good!... for no particular reason. I don't know if it's a chemical release or what. But it seems like just the act of smiling brightens my day a little bit.
Later, when I talk to people -- strangers, even -- it is so much easier than usual. I feel less anxious and more assertive. And because of the practice, it seems more natural to smile at everyone I met. Overall, I became a much happier, more approachable person, both in appearance and mind.
Is it possible that the best remedy for anxiety could be SMILING? It seems too simple, doesn't it? But somehow, it works. Or at least, it has been so far. Try it!
The problem is that I've always found it kind of awkward and difficult to just start smiling on command -- pictures have always been a problem for that reason, too. So, although it seems kind of goofy, what I've started doing is practicing smiles when I'm alone.
The weird thing about it is that even when I am smiling by myself, I suddenly feel... good!... for no particular reason. I don't know if it's a chemical release or what. But it seems like just the act of smiling brightens my day a little bit.
Later, when I talk to people -- strangers, even -- it is so much easier than usual. I feel less anxious and more assertive. And because of the practice, it seems more natural to smile at everyone I met. Overall, I became a much happier, more approachable person, both in appearance and mind.
Is it possible that the best remedy for anxiety could be SMILING? It seems too simple, doesn't it? But somehow, it works. Or at least, it has been so far. Try it!