SMILE

 

Who in life has been spared from experiencing a sense of sorrow, defeat or hopelessness? If by some bend of fate it is you, then this technique may be helpful for a friend or loved one. Please pass it on as a favor.
This exercise will require a mirror. Standing or sitting, relax and take three deep, long breaths. Each time you exhale, gently open your lips so they are slightly parted. Look in the mirror and lift the corners of your mouth upward. There should be no strain, just a gentle upturn of your lips. Reward yourself with a sigh of relief. Get that tension out of your shoulders by merely crunching them up as if to touch your ears. Then exhale slowly while allowing them to gradually and softly drop down to a comfortable position.

Do it again! Use this exercise whenever you are feeling blue. The act of focusing your attention away from the hurt and on to the process of smiling will help to alleviate and alter the mood. By lifting the corners of your mouth, a cellular memory kicks in to remind you of something that really did make you smile. (Or, perhaps even a good hearty laugh). Should laughing be part of this healing technique? Yes!

Laugh because it is the other side of crying. So what if you are alone. In fact, you don’t even have to be. Ask a friend to do this with you, unless solos are your choice. Either way, remember that changing your focus changes your mood.