A perfectly sculpted jawline is a desirable cosmetic trait. Not all people are naturally blessed with a perfect jawline. Moreover, the jawline tends to becomes less defined with aging and weight gain due to lack of exercise, an unhealthy diet, and a sedentary lifestyle. Fat accumulates in the neck area, the skin starts to sag and the jaw muscles shrink, changing the shape of your face. The good news is that there are exercises that can help you lose facial fat and achieve a sleek, well-defined jawline. These jawline exercises target the neck, chin, jaw, and other facial muscles and can effectively firm facial skin, shape the cheekbones and result in a more prominent jawline.
5 Exercises for a Well-defined Jawline
- Jawbone Restorer: This exercise helps to make your jawbone more strong and defined. How to do it:
a. Place both your thumbs side-by-side at the tip of your chin
b. Rest your other fingers below each ear
c. Create resistance by slightly pushing your chin down to your thumbs
d. Slowly slide your thumbs along your jawline to your ears.
e. Repeat the same process 10 times. - Neck Curl-Up: Similar to abdominal crunch or curl, neck curl is an effective jawline exercises that activates the front neck muscles. How to do it:
a. Lie down on your back with the tongue pressed on the roof of the mouth
b. Bring your chin to your chest
c. Lift your head off of the ground about 2 to 3 inches – but be careful to not lift your stomach and don’t poke your chin out.
d. Slowly lower your head back down and repeat - Sagging Chin Exercise: If you want a more toned and sculpted jawline, perform this exercise. How to do it:
a. Keep your elbows on the table and put your fists under your chin
b. Open your mouth slowly and gently, while pushing your fists up and creating resistance
c. Hold for a little while and release
d. Repeat 10 times - Vowel Sounds Exercise: To tone the muscles around your mouth and lips, stretch your mouth and sound out vowels. How to do it:
a. Open your mouth as wide as possible to make “O” and “E” sounds
b. Make sure you are exaggerating the vowel to tighten the muscles
c. Do 3 sets of 15 repetitions - Collarbone Backup: Do you want to target the muscles under your chin, then this exercise is your perfect option. How to do it:
a. Sit down on the floor or in a chair and keep your head parallel to the floor
b. Gently move your head back to feel your muscles contract, and then return to the initial position
c. Now keeping your chin parallel with the floor, push your head forward
d. Do 3 sets of 10 repetitions
According to WebMD, one study found that performing regular facial exercises over the course of 20 weeks led to fuller cheeks and a more youthful appearance. Along with sculpting your jawline, these exercises may help reduce the effects of temporomandibular disorders, or chronic pain in the jaw muscles, bones, and nerves.
However, when doing jawline exercises, stay calm and take it slow. This is very important as the going too fast or doing too many repetitions can cause neck strain. If you feel any pain while doing these exercises, stop right away. If the pain persists, consult your doctor.
In addition to exercising, you should also eat a healthy diet. Make necessary lifestyle changes if you feel that weight gain is contributing to the change in shape around your jawline.
