A person’s response to us is sometimes a reflection of the facial expressions we wear. Our faces are contagious. As an instructor, whenever I wear an easygoing facial expression, my students appear to have a more relaxed posture as opposed to when I’m a bit uptight. Facial expressions can rob us of vital opportunities because our face is the first point of entry into our personality. A well groomed salesperson might just be stonewalled by a prospect from the point of introducing himself by virtue of the face they put on. A social researcher might just miss out on useful information from his or her subjects just because of the uneasiness brought about by an unexpected facial expression.

Facial expressions are contagious because they reflect on other people’s faces. However, at times, we might not be in control of them especially during extreme moments that bring surprise, grief or joy. However there are a few pointers which could help us predict our facial expressions in order to manage the relationships around us.

Temperaments play a crucial role in the way we view life. People with extroverted personalities such as sanguines and cholerics usually have a positive view of life which brings cheer to their faces. Even in the most depressing of situations, they seem to see a ray of hope. This makes them natural leaders capable of inspiring others especially during times of difficulty. However, introverts such as phlegmatics usually have a cynical view of life. Naturally, they tend to thrive on dry humor which paints them as sarcastic. Many of them have flat faces which portray little or no emotion. Melancholics on the other hand are highly structured and prone to depression. They are not easily excitable. Most of the time, they look serious and focussed. Introverted people must invest in positivity. They must seek to see hope in the midst of distress. They must make a deliberate effort to focus on the positive things life brings their way however minimal. This will ultimately make a huge difference on their faces.

Events around us play a big role in determining our facial expressions. I remember during the 2007/2008 post election crisis in Kenya, I was seated at a bus stop when a public service vehicle pulled over with the conductor beckoning us in. Interestingly, he read our faces and saw that all of us were worried about the state of our nation. Even though none of us boarded the vehicle, he left us with a word of encouragement. Uncontrolled events taking place around us affect our moods more than we know it. These could be both on the positive and negative side. Even though we may not have full control over what’s happening around us, we can choose to filter what we see or hear in order to protect ourselves. Blocking some unnecessary stimuli such as excessive attention to news is a deliberate choice especially in this age of social media. This is sometimes healthy because it helps us build upon positive energy as opposed to the excessive negativity around us. It could also reduce worry which could affect our facial expressions.

Lastly, climate can affect our facial expressions more than we know it. During moments of extreme heat, the body gets agitated due to dehydration. This results into a very uncomfortable situation which may manifest through facial expressions. It’s very essential to ensure good hydration during such moments to reduce discomfort. This discomfort many times results into conflict arising from minor triggers such as a misunderstanding. It also helps to avoid walking under the direct sun for long especially if you’re going for an official meeting.

Facial expressions play a crucial role not only in building meaningful relationships but also in putting those around us at ease. It pays to take note of areas that we can manage in order to reduce the resultant negative effects our facial expressions could have on people around us.