Preparing for a Maskless World: A Smile Lesson in Japan

Preparing for life after the COVID-19 pandemic has been a topic on the minds of many people around the world. With mask mandates and social distancing measures being the norm for the past three years, people have had to adapt to a new way of living. As the world starts to return to some sense of normalcy, many are beginning to think about the changes that will come with it, including the removal of masks in public spaces. In Japan, a group of 37 people, including the elderly, recently took a lesson in smiling to help prepare for this transition.

The smiling lesson was held in the Akabane district in Tokyo’s Kita Ward on May 7, one day before the reclassification of COVID-19 to a less-severe category that includes the seasonal flu. The instructor for the lesson was Keiko Kawano, a 49-year-old smile trainer. According to Kawano, people have had fewer opportunities to smile due to mask-wearing becoming the norm, and many people have developed a complex about their smiles as a result.

 

“Moving and relaxing the facial muscles is the key to making a good smile,” Kawano said. Participants in the lesson used hand mirrors to check their smiles and improve their technique.

 

“Smiles are essential for maskless communication,” said Yasuko Watarai from Kita Ward, who participated in the lesson. “I want to apply what I learned today at volunteer activities and other gatherings.”

Kawano has seen an increase in the number of people requesting individual lessons since the end of last year, as people anticipate the removal of masks in public spaces. After news of the COVID-19 reclassification began in February, requests for lessons rose 4.5 times compared to the previous year.

 

“Smiling not only makes a good impression on others and facilitates communication, but also has the effect of making yourself feel more positive,” Kawano said. “I want people to spend time consciously smiling for their (physical) and mental well-being.”

 

As we begin to see a light at the end of the tunnel and move towards a post-COVID world, it's important to remember that the transition won't be seamless. We will all have to adjust to a new way of living and interacting with others. The smiling lesson in Japan is a reminder that even something as simple as smiling can require practice and intentionality after being masked for so long. It's fascinating to think about how something as seemingly small as a smile can have such a significant impact on our well-being and the way we connect with others. So, as we look towards the future, how can we consciously incorporate more smiles into our daily lives to improve our physical and mental health?