FIX YOUR POSTURE FOR A FACELIFT!

Posture-training expert DELL-MAREE DAY explains how improving your stance can make for a more youthful face

Who says you need to go under the knife to get a facelift? It turns out a few simple changes to your posture can re-energise your facial muscles – which makes for a more toned looking face.

Dell-maree Day gives her top five tips on how to do so...

ELEVATE YOUR COMPUTER

“As we’re sitting down most of the day, the first thing you need to do is position yourself correctly at your desk,” Dell-maree explains. “Elevate your computer so your eyes are looking at the top third of your screen. If your computer is too low your shoulders, neck and face will be pulled downwards.”

LEARN TO SIT CORRECTLY

“Next, learn to move your spine away from the back of your chair and sit on the front half of the chair,” says Dell-maree. “Place your feet flat on the floor directly under your knees with a fist-size space between your feet and knees.”

It’s important to sit straight and as tall and relaxed as you possibly can, with relaxed arms. “As you do this, the natural curves of your spine are reinstated,” she adds.

LEARN TO STAND CORRECTLY

When you’re not sitting you also need to stand correctly. “Look straight ahead with your feet 10cm apart,” instructs Dell-maree. “Stand as tall and relaxed as possible. You’ll instantly look and feel slimmer as your lower and upper back will lift and your shoulders will relax. Don’t let your head flop downwards – this pulls the neck forward resulting in a hunchback.”

REALIGN YOUR FACE

“Now you’re seated or standing correctly, the first thing to remember is to always try to look straight ahead,” Dell-maree says. “Make sure your jaw isn’t too close to your throat or too far away. When in resting mode, your facial and neck muscles should always be relaxed, not clenched. This will naturally strengthen your neck muscles, and your jowls and brow will instantly lift.”

PRACTISE A NEUTRAL MOUTH POSTURE

“If your mouth tends to pull downwards, smile when you can to lift the lower area of your face. Smiling uses 70 face muscles so that’s quite a workout,” says Dell-maree. “Another tip is to practice a ‘neutral mouth’. Look in the mirror with your natural resting face. If you look ‘angry’ or ‘sad’, pull your mouth into neutral line. Practise until it starts to feel more natural.”