As you know at LeBootCamp, we learn how to eat well, move more but also age better and more importantly, slower in a natural way.

Recent studies have shown that we spend an average of 5h a day with our head bent over our smartphones (at home, in the office and on public transport)

Other than the fact that we are usually inactive during that time, this new habit of ours has a rather unflattering effect on our facial features. Check it out for yourself: get in front of a mirror with your phone and get in the position you would normally take to read and reply to a message. Now turn to your side and take a look at your neck. Can you see this deep line forming just below your chin? Even 20 year old youths are beginning to have it and this line soon gets more and more defined lending the face an unflattering (and aging) droopy appearance.

Double chins anyone? Previously an feature developed by people in their late 50s it is now becoming an issue with 20 year olds.

Now, go and do the mirror test again and look beyond your chin. Can you see your cheeks sagging? Touch your lower facial muscles. See how your neckline isn’t as clearly defined any more.

5 hours a day (and this is often a very minimal figure, as some of us spend well over 7 hours a day in that posture), starting at age 12, and by the age of 25 these people will all have necks and chins of 60 year olds.

Oh, and this doesn’t even take into account using your phone in bed, checking emails first things when you wake up (a big no no at LeBootCamp when considering stress reduction and management) with your head resting badly on the side, neck tensed, face scrunched up, squinting at the glaring screen with our eyes still full of sleep, reading and replying to emails. Not a pretty sight hey?

The solution? 

Regulate ourselves to spend less time staring at that little portable screen of ours. How?

1. Reduce your daily hand-held device screen time to the bare necessary minimum.Everything that can be done from a computer screen positioned at eye level (facebook, emails, internet browsing, etc.) shall be done from a computer (not one resting on your lap, or that will defeat the object) rather than our phone.
2. On public transport, instead of killing time on social media: listen to music, the radio, a TED lecture or a good audiobook (taking great care of using good quality over ear headphones).
3. And, if all else fails and you have to look at your phone, bring the screen up to eye level instead of tilting your head down, it is just a habit to take 😉

For a little extra pampering in that area, use of a good hydrating cream such as Egyptian Magic, and you will be on the right path to maintaining a better toned and defined lower face, neck and chin.

Valerie Orsoni, your LeBootCamp Diet and well-being coach.