Proper face resting technique is an important part of self-care and relaxation. Taking time to rest your face allows the muscles to fully relax, promotes better circulation, and can help reduce signs of aging. However, many people aren’t sure how to properly rest their face. Should you lay down? Splash cold water on it? Use a specialized product? Here, we’ll explore the best practices for resting your face so you can make the most of this beneficial ritual.
Why Is It Important to Rest Your Face?
There are several key reasons why taking time to rest your facial muscles is beneficial:
- Reduces muscle tension: The facial muscles work hard all day long making expressions. Resting them allows these muscles to fully relax.
- Increases circulation: Lying down and relaxing the face encourages blood flow to the skin, bringing nutrients and oxygen.
- Anti-aging effects: With circulation increased, the skin receives antioxidants that can help reduce signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles.
- Relieves eye strain: Closing the eyes and relaxing the ocular muscles eases strain caused by prolonged computer use and digital device screens.
- Promotes overall wellbeing: Taking mini breaks to rest your face is a form of self-care that helps you de-stress and feel more centered.
Making face resting a part of your regular routine can enhance your mood, health, and appearance. It’s a simple yet impactful act of self-care.
How Often Should You Rest Your Face?
Ideally, you’ll want to rest your face for 5-10 minutes once or twice per day. Here are some suggestions on when to fit it into your schedule:
- In the morning: After cleansing your face but before applying makeup, devote 5 minutes to relaxing the facial muscles. This helps set the tone for a peaceful day.
- Mid-day: Take a 10 minute face resting break during lunch or an extended afternoon break. This refreshes you for the latter half of the day.
- Before bed: Wind down from the day by resting your face for 7-10 minutes. A nightly face rest promotes restful sleep.
- Anytime your face feels tense or tired: Make face resting a portable habit by doing it anytime your face feels stressed. Even a 1-2 minute break makes a difference.
You may want to start with face resting once a day and work your way up to twice a day. Monitor how your skin and energy levels respond. More frequent and lengthy face rests provide greater benefits.
What’s the Best Position for Resting Your Face?
You’ll reap the most rewards from face resting by laying in a comfortable, supported position. Here are the best positions to try:
- On your back: Lay on your back with your head slightly elevated on a pillow. Supporting your head avoids neck strain.
- Reclined: Sit in a reclined chair or on your bed propped up by pillows. Avoid hunching forward.
- With head supported: Sit upright with your head rested on a pillow or the back of a chair. Keep your chin level.
Avoid resting your face while crouched over a desk or slumped on the couch, as this can actually increase muscle tension. The ideal is having your head and neck aligned and supported.
If resting your face while lying down makes you sleepy, try sitting upright with your head supported. This still relaxes your facial muscles without making you too comfortable.
How to Rest Your Facial Muscles
Once you’re in an ideal face-resting position, use these tips to fully relax your facial muscles:
- Close your eyes: Keeping your eyes closed allows the ocular muscles to rest and prevents visual stimulus from engaging other facial muscles.
- Relax your jaw: Unclench your jaw and release tension in this highly-used muscle. You can even let your mouth hang open slightly.
- Smooth out your forehead: Release any wrinkles or furrows in your forehead to flatten and calm this area.
- Soften your gaze: Allow your eye muscles to settle into a soft, unfocused gaze under your eyelids.
- Slow your breath: Breathe deeply and slowly to promote full-body relaxation.
You want all the muscles of your face to feel soft, smooth, and free of tension. Avoid squinting, frowning, or raising your eyebrows. Face resting is about fully letting go.
Tips for Maximizing Face Resting
Follow these tips for getting the most out of your face resting sessions:
- Moisturize first: Apply your favorite moisturizer before face resting. This allows your skin to fully absorb the hydrating benefits.
- Use an eye mask: Blocking out all light with an eye mask enhances ocular muscle relaxation.
- Play relaxing music: Quiet, calming music like nature sounds promotes restful face resting.
- Use guided meditation: Follow along with a facial muscle relaxation meditation for added benefits.
- Apply a face mist: Spritzing with a calming face mist enhances the ritual.
- Diffuse essential oils: Aromatherapy oils like lavender add to the relaxing ambiance.
- Let your mouth hang open: Leaving your mouth slightly ajar allows all your facial muscles to fully release.
Personalize your face resting ritual by choosing 2-3 enhancers that appeal to you. This allows you to look forward to this rejuvenating self-care practice.
Common Questions
Should you wash your face before or after resting it?
It’s best to complete your face washing routine first, pat your skin dry, then apply moisturizer and devote time to facial rest. Your products will absorb better on cleansed skin, and you won’t have to get up mid-face rest to wash them off.
Is resting your face good for anti-aging?
Yes, relaxing your facial muscles regularly can help reduce common signs of aging. Face resting promotes circulation, bringing nutrients and antioxidants to the skin that diminish lines, wrinkles, and sagging.
Can you rest your face too much?
It’s very difficult to overdo face resting! More frequent face massages and rests provide greater anti-aging and relaxation benefits. As long as you’re not constantly rubbing or putting pressure on your skin, feel free to rest those facial muscles as often as desired.
Can face resting help with headaches?
Tension headaches caused by strain in the facial muscles can absolutely benefit from some extended face resting time. The relaxation will ease clenched muscles that contribute to headache pain.
Should men rest their faces too?
Face resting is for everyone, regardless of gender! Men’s facial skin will appreciate the increased circulation and muscle relief. Plus, face resting is simply a healthy act of self-care that improves your mood.
Conclusion
Resting your face regularly provides tangible benefits for your appearance, mood, circulation and muscle tension. Devote just 5-10 minutes a day to relaxing your facial muscles while lying or sitting in a supported position. Enhance the ritual with calming music, aromatherapy, moisturizer and eye masks. Prioritize this self-care practice just as you would exercise or healthy eating for the good of your skin and mind.