Exercise can reduce stress you experience and ease tension, according to Fitness.gov. Your face and neck are two areas that you may tend to neglect during your daily exercise and fitness routine. Focusing on your facial muscles during your exercise routine may provide some additional toning and strengthening benefits. If you experience neck pain, talk to your doctor before performing neck exercises.
Anterior Neck Exercise
Lie on your back on the floor, placing your left arm under your back. Look forward, with your head in a neutral position. Bend your right elbow and place the palm of your right hand on top of your head. Grasping your head, gently pull your head toward your right shoulder. Stop when you feel your muscles beginning to stretch. Rotate your head a few degrees toward your left side. Use your right hand to pull your head farther to your right, breathing out. Relax and rotate your head toward your right side. In this position, pull your head again toward your right shoulder. Repeat these movements to stretch the left side of your neck, placing your right arm hand under your back and using your left hand to pull your head toward your left shoulder.
Sub-Occipital Exercise
Sit straight on the edge of your chair. Look forward, keeping your head and neck in line with your spine. Place three fingers of one hand on the front of your chin, keeping your lips and teeth closed. Use your fingers to push your neck backward until you feel the muscles below the base of your skull begin to stretch. Exhale as you stretch gently. Relax as you breathe in and repeat the stretch as you exhale.
Upper Face Movement
Perform this exercise in front of the mirror to observe your movements. Raise your eyebrows as high up on your forehead as possible, creating horizontal wrinkles in your skin. Draw your eyebrows toward the bridge of your nose, creating an exaggerated frown. Keeping your forehead muscles tightly contracted, squeeze your eyes tightly shut. Open your eyes as wide as you can. Relax all your muscles.
Lower Face Movement
Looking in the mirror, wrinkle your nose tightly. Push your upper lip outward. Purse your upper and lower lip to form an exaggerated kiss or whistle position. Curl your lower lip out and down, forming a pouting expression. Pull your lips and cheeks upward to form a large smile. Tighten the insides of your lips against your teeth, drawing the corners of your mouth outward. Pull the corners of your mouth down and then use your check muscles to stretch your mouth from side to side. Relax your facial muscles.
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