Staring contests are a timeless and entertaining pastime that can be played just about anywhere. Whether you’re engaged in a friendly competition or serious face-off, winning it can provide great bragging rights. Follow these 10 practical steps to gain the edge over your opponent and win that staring contest.

1. Practice: Like any other skill, practice makes perfect. Spend some time staring at a fixed point or even at yourself in the mirror to build your eye muscle endurance.

2. Relaxed facial muscles: Keep your face relaxed and neutral. This will help minimize any distractions and maintain focus during the contest.

3. Proper eye focus: Choose a point on your opponent’s face between their eyes and focus on that spot rather than moving your gaze from one eye to another.

4. Control your breathing: Taking deep, steady breaths helps to control heart rate, keeps you relaxed, and prevents excessive blinking due to dry eyes.

5. Maintain good posture: Sit up straight and maintain a comfortable position to reduce physical discomfort during the contest.

6. Minimize distractions: Clear your mind and eliminate any background noise or visual disturbances that could disrupt your concentration.

7. Prepare beforehand: Stay hydrated, avoid caffeine or sugar to prevent shaky hands, and ensure that you get enough sleep the night before the contest.

8. Use psychological tactics: Make sudden movements or humorous expressions in an attempt to catch your opponent off-guard, making them blink or look away.

9. Don’t think about blinking: The more you think about it, the more likely you are to blink. Focus on maintaining eye contact and not on the fact that you can’t blink.

10. Celebrate silently: If you eliminate unnecessary movements like celebrating or reacting after passing previous milestones during the contest, it will be easier for you not to lose focus until the end of it.

In conclusion, winning a staring contest requires a combination of physical and mental preparation, as well as strategic tactics. By practicing endurance, minimizing distractions, and employing psychological tricks, you’re well on your way to staring contest success. Now go out there and win!