Difference between revisions of "Avoid Blushing"
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#**Remembering to breathe in and out (deeply if you can). | #**Remembering to breathe in and out (deeply if you can). | ||
#**Reminding yourself that this isn't the first time you have blushed and it probably won't be the last time. This can be oddly comforting. | #**Reminding yourself that this isn't the first time you have blushed and it probably won't be the last time. This can be oddly comforting. | ||
| − | #** Smiling. Smiling may help as our cheeks naturally redden when we smile; smiling also helps us feel happier<ref | + | #** Smiling. Smiling may help as our cheeks naturally redden when we smile; smiling also helps us feel happier<ref name="rf5760" />, which may destroy any social anxiety. |
| − | # Don't fixate on blushing. Many people fixate on their blushing when it happens, worsening their social anxiety. And research shows that the more we think about blushing, the more we blush.<ref>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2855024/</ref> If you can find a way to stop fixating on blushing, chances are you'll actually blush less! | + | # Don't fixate on blushing. Many people fixate on their blushing when it happens, worsening their social anxiety. And research shows that the more we think about blushing, the more we blush.<ref name="rf15611">http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2855024/</ref> If you can find a way to stop fixating on blushing, chances are you'll actually blush less! |
# Consider calling attention to it. If a person's on a date and they do something incredibly awkward, one way that they'll save the situation is by calling attention to it: "Well, now, that was clumsy. I promise I'm only a klutz half of the time!" By calling attention to the awkwardness and putting it out in the open, they've unmasked it. The awkwardness usually leaves right then and there. You can do the same thing with blushing. | # Consider calling attention to it. If a person's on a date and they do something incredibly awkward, one way that they'll save the situation is by calling attention to it: "Well, now, that was clumsy. I promise I'm only a klutz half of the time!" By calling attention to the awkwardness and putting it out in the open, they've unmasked it. The awkwardness usually leaves right then and there. You can do the same thing with blushing. | ||
#*It's obviously not something you can do every time, in every situation, but consider it a tool you can use. Your blushing often gets worse because you're afraid of people uncovering your anxiety. If you defuse the anxiety before other people have time to realize it, you have no reason to blush anymore. | #*It's obviously not something you can do every time, in every situation, but consider it a tool you can use. Your blushing often gets worse because you're afraid of people uncovering your anxiety. If you defuse the anxiety before other people have time to realize it, you have no reason to blush anymore. | ||
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#Don't feel responsible for blushing. Whatever you do, '''''don't''''' feel responsible for blushing. It is involuntary. Train your mind to understand that your conscious thoughts have nothing to do with this autonomic bodily response. You are not to blame, and you are not guilty of anything. If you let go of feeling responsible for blushing, there's a good chance you'll find yourself blushing less often. | #Don't feel responsible for blushing. Whatever you do, '''''don't''''' feel responsible for blushing. It is involuntary. Train your mind to understand that your conscious thoughts have nothing to do with this autonomic bodily response. You are not to blame, and you are not guilty of anything. If you let go of feeling responsible for blushing, there's a good chance you'll find yourself blushing less often. | ||
# Stop caring. Not only is your blushing much less noticeable than you probably think, it's also helpful to remember that most people either find blushing to be cute or endearing. There are benefits to being a blusher. They include: | # Stop caring. Not only is your blushing much less noticeable than you probably think, it's also helpful to remember that most people either find blushing to be cute or endearing. There are benefits to being a blusher. They include: | ||
| − | #*People who witness someone blush find the blusher to be more sympathetic, softening their social judgments of the person.<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/02/health/02mind.html?_r=0</ref> In this way, blushing may help build better social bonds. | + | #*People who witness someone blush find the blusher to be more sympathetic, softening their social judgments of the person.<ref name="rf15612">http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/02/health/02mind.html?_r=0</ref> In this way, blushing may help build better social bonds. |
| − | #*Researchers believe that people who blush are better at relationships, reporting higher levels of monogamy and trustworthiness.<ref>http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2044467/Blushing-New-research-shows-sign-youll-great-lover.html</ref><ref>http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-12-24/man-woman/30297584_1_researchers-people-trust-higher-levels</ref> | + | #*Researchers believe that people who blush are better at relationships, reporting higher levels of monogamy and trustworthiness.<ref name="rf15613">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2044467/Blushing-New-research-shows-sign-youll-great-lover.html</ref><ref name="rf15614">http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-12-24/man-woman/30297584_1_researchers-people-trust-higher-levels</ref> |
# Work out strenuously before you feel you might get embarrassed. This does two things: your face will have a natural red hue that looks more "normal," and you'll lower your blood pressure so much that you could become effectively immune to blushing, based on how hard and long you work out, for anywhere between 30 minutes to 2 hours. Even if your redness from working out fades, this temporary immunity will continue. | # Work out strenuously before you feel you might get embarrassed. This does two things: your face will have a natural red hue that looks more "normal," and you'll lower your blood pressure so much that you could become effectively immune to blushing, based on how hard and long you work out, for anywhere between 30 minutes to 2 hours. Even if your redness from working out fades, this temporary immunity will continue. | ||
#Find helpful relaxation techniques. Prime your mind and your body to relax before the blushing sets in through meditation or gentle exercise. Feeling relaxed and in control could help you prevent blushing from occurring in the first place. | #Find helpful relaxation techniques. Prime your mind and your body to relax before the blushing sets in through meditation or gentle exercise. Feeling relaxed and in control could help you prevent blushing from occurring in the first place. | ||
