Lifestyle

5 Tips for Regaining Confidence in Your Smile

Published

4 years ago

December 18, 2020

admin2

Your smile is a part of who you are. It’s a unique expression of your personality, and you should feel confident enough to use it often. But what happens when you lose that confidence? Where do you go from here?

5 Ways to Achieve a Confident Smile

Your smile says a lot about you. It can happen naturally as a result of something you find funny, amusing, cute, endearing, or ironic. Or you can make a conscious decision to smile as a way to project friendliness or make someone feel comfortable. Either way, your smile is something you should be confident in. And here are a few different ways you can improve in this area:

Straighten Crooked Teeth

According to a study conducted by Invisalign, confidence is closely correlated to physical appearance. The data reveals that 70 percent of people find a single change in appearance has the ability to boost their confidence, while 92 percent of respondents say they were much more confident after having straightened crooked teeth. In fact, four out of five respondents say straightening teeth was one of the most important treatments they’ve ever received in their lives.

The good news is that there are more ways than ever to bring teeth back into alignment. This includes traditional braces, home alignment mouthguards, and other solutions. And while nobody wants to wear braces, a few months of braces can lead to years of increased confidence. When you look at it this way, it’s an easy tradeoff!

Try Teeth Whitening

For some people, it’s yellowed and stained teeth that hurt confidence more than anything else. But thankfully you don’t have to deal with this any longer. There are tons of professional whitening procedures, as well as inexpensive home solutions you can use to restore some of that sparkle and shine to your enamel.

Many of the at-home teeth whitening kits can be applied discreetly and for short periods of time. And while it can take several weeks of treatment to see significant results, they’re known to be quite effective.

Deal With Serious Oral Problems

Do you have more serious oral health issues that make it difficult for you to smile with confidence? It’s imperative that you visit your dentist to find out what the source of the problem is so that you can deal with it right away.

If you have bleeding, red, or swollen gums, loose teeth, bad breath, or exposed roots, these could be signs of gum recession. And believe it or not, a minimally invasive pinhole procedure could help you get your smile and confidence back with limited recovery time.

Practice Smiling

Getting your oral health in a good place is the correct starting point. But what if you still dislike your actual smile? (Meaning the shape and appearance of your smile.) Sometimes a little practice can go a long way.

“Standing in front of a mirror and practicing your biggest and nicest smile can give you a chance to find the best smile-induced facial expressions which compliment your appearance,” life coach Stella van Lane writes. “You can even consider asking somebody close to you for their opinion on the topic, or take some selfies to see what you look like smiling from many different angles.”

You don’t want to spend so much time practicing and staring at selfies that you become so self-conscious of your smile that you don’t want to use it. However, a little positive self-reflection can help. Always walk away with an emphasis on the positives.

Find Things That Make You Happy

Have you ever considered that the reason you don’t smile much is because you don’t have much to smile about?

If you’re hanging out with negative people, you need to find a new group of friends that make you happy. If you’re in a job that’s miserable, find some line of work that provides greater fulfillment. When you have things to smile about, your smile is going to be much more genuine and less forced.

Say Cheese!

A smile makes you relatable. It sends a signal of friendliness and makes it easier for people to approach you. And when you take the time to restore confidence in your smile, you’ll subsequently improve your relationships with others. Don’t miss or delay this opportunity!

Lifestyle

Why Classical Dance Is Thriving on Instagram

Published

14 hours ago

April 28, 2025

Michelle Langton

For centuries, classical dance forms like Bharatanatyam and Kathak have been treasured for their elegance, complexity, and storytelling prowess. But in recent years, these age-old traditions have found an unlikely stage: Instagram. From intricate mudras to rhythmic footwork, young dancers are captivating audiences worldwide, all in the span of a 60-second reel.

So, what’s fueling this revival of classical dance on a platform known for trends, filters, and viral challenges?

Instagram, with its visual-first format, has become an ideal space for artists to share their craft. Classical dance, rich in visual storytelling, translates beautifully into bite-sized performances that are accessible and engaging for modern audiences.

“Reels are short enough to grab attention but long enough to convey the essence of a classical piece,” says one of Spardha’s dance teachers, actively creating dance videos for the Instagram page of Spardha School of Music and Dance, an online platform for performing arts education. “You don’t need an elaborate stage or hours of performance; a simple backdrop and good lighting can bring your art to life.”

On Instagram, young dancers bring a fresh approach to traditional art. They skillfully blend classical compositions with trending audio tracks, often choreographing pieces that resonate with younger audiences.

These videos show how classical dance can be relevant in today’s world as young artists reinterpret popular songs in classical style. Such performances respect the tradition, make it accessible to a larger audience by making classical dance relatable.

Social media has also given classical dancers something they’ve never had before: a global audience. Platforms like Instagram allow Indian artists to reach audiences in the U.S., Europe, and beyond, fostering cultural exchange and appreciation.

And the feedback loop is immediate. Unlike traditional performances, which are confined to auditoriums and limited audiences, Instagram reels receive likes, comments, and shares in real time, creating a sense of community and encouraging more engagement.

The rise of online platforms for learning music and dance like Spardha School of Music and Dance has further fueled this trend. Spardha provides structured lessons in classical dance forms like Bharatnatyam and Kathak, and even Bollywood, making them accessible to young learners regardless of their location.

“Many of our students have taken what they’ve learned and showcased it online,” says a representative from Spardha. “It’s incredible to see them not just learn the art but also innovate and present it in ways that inspire others.”

By offering online classes, Spardha ensures that classical dance is no longer restricted to physical studios, enabling dancers to connect with their culture through dance no matter where they are in the world.

The success of classical dance on Instagram lies in its ability to blend heritage with modernity. The younger generation, armed with smartphones and a passion for preserving their roots, is making classical dance both aspirational and accessible.

Dance has always been about expression, and Instagram is just a new way of reaching people.