Stop smiling in photos if you want to look younger - here's what to do instead 


 

Most people know it takes 25 fewer muscles to smile than it does to frown.

The act of smiling has numerous positives attached to it. Not only does it make you look happy and approachable, but it also releases endorphins, making it a surefire way to boost your mood.

Sadly, it's emerged that smiling is not all it's cracked up to be.

If it's your go-to photo expression, experts have some bad news. A recent experiment found that smiling in photos can add up three and half years to your face, writes The Sun.

This is because smiling apparently exaggerates the appearance of wrinkles around the eyes. Maybe you don't care. Maybe life is too short to worry about things like these. Or maybe your anti-ageing regimen is so efficient you need never worry about wrinkles again.

However, if your appearance in photos does matter to you, there are some alternative facial expressions which will help reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

And it seems as if the likes of Kylie Jenner and Victoria Beckham - neither exactly renowned for their readily beaming faces - are on to something.

After the research was conducted, it was found the best faces to adopt are either a neutral expression, or a "pouting" surprised one.

One thing which was rather sweet and reassuring was the participants said they still believed smiling makes people look younger.

However Melvyn Goodale, who worked on the study at the University of Western Ontario, Canada, rained on their parade somewhat, saying:
"We show that this belief, which is well-rooted in popular culture, is a complete misconception."

So there you go, even if you're having the time of your life, don't let it show on your face.

Article Source: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/stop-smiling-photos-you-want-10399549
Image Source: https://images.pexels.com/photos/160739/smilies-bank-sit-rest-160739.jpeg?h=350&auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb

VOCABULARY WORDS:
1. frown- to contract the brow, as in displeasure or deep thought scowl
2. endorphins- any of a group of peptides occurring in the brain and other tissues of vertebrates, and resembling opiates, that react with the brain's opiate receptors to raise the pain threshold
3. emerged- to come into existence develop
4. cracked up- burst or cause to burst into laughter
5.  exaggerates- to magnify beyond the limits of truth overstate represent disproportionately
6. regimen- a regulated course, as of diet, exercise, or manner of living, intended to preserve or restore health or to attain some result
7. misconception- an erroneous conception mistaken notion

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
1. What are some positive effects of smiling on people?
2. What are some bad things associated with smiling?
3. What are the best face expressions to prevent wrinkles?
4. What are the perceptions of the participants in the  study about smiling?
5. What is the connection between smiling and pop culture?
6. How do  you respond when your picture is taken?
7. Do you agree that smiling makes one look older? Explain your ideas.
8. What are some things that make  you smile?