“I think your blushing cheeks confess it.”– William Shakespeare wrote this line in one of his famous plays, Much Ado About Nothing.
Blushing is a common physiological phenomenon; a natural reaction to strong emotions, whether from seeing someone you’re attracted to, embarrassment, or even anxiety. While novels and pop culture have romanticised blushing, it can be a matter of embarrassment in real life, leading you to look for solutions to stop blushing.
When we blush, our cheeks, ears, and neck become red, and everyone around us becomes aware of our emotions. In a formal setting, you might not want people to know your feelings or thoughts, but your flaming red cheeks might give it away. If this sounds like your worst nightmare, you might have a phobia of blushing, known as erythrophobia.
People who suffer from social anxiety and stress are more likely to blush in public, further heightening their embarrassment and panic.
Wondering how to stop blushing at work or in other social situations? Blushing hypnosis is seen as an effective method to address the psychological triggers behind this physical reaction. I’m Susannah Saunders, and I have two decades of experience helping people overcome their phobias through bespoke and empowering hypnotherapy. Together, we’ll work to rewire your subconscious to perceive the triggers more positively and calmly.
Connect with me to learn more about blushing hypnosis.
Why Do We Blush?
Blushing is an involuntary reaction when the body anticipates a fight-or-flight situation, brought about by the sympathetic nervous system. In such “high-stakes” situations, the body is flooded with adrenaline, which brings about certain physiological changes like rapid heartbeat, loss of hunger, and flaming red cheeks. We blush because the blood vessels widen, resulting in increased blood flow, making our face and neck feel flushed and warm.
Some other causes of blushing include alcohol consumption, fever, menopause, or eating spicy or very hot food. Certain medical conditions and medications might also lead to involuntary blushing.
People who blush more than others feel self-conscious and embarrassed, and might start avoiding social activities.
What is the Fear of Blushing?
People who suffer from social anxiety disorder equate blushing with fear and embarrassment, making them look for ways to stop blushing. If you suffer from the fear of blushing, or erythrophobia, you’re worried not about the actual act of blushing but the negative reaction, public embarrassment, and scrutiny that you may think you’ll face.
Ironically, when you constantly anticipate blushing or fear its occurrence, you’re more likely to increase its occurrence. This leads to a vicious cycle, which, in a worst-case scenario, can result in emotional meltdown and social isolation.
Blushing anxiety is more common in people who suffer from SAD, anxiety, and stress. These are mental health issues that trigger the blushing response more.
If you think you’ll never get over your fear of blushing, all is not lost. There are many coping mechanisms you can adopt to prevent blushing. While addressing the psychological triggers with blushing hypnosis provides a long-term solution, you can also make some smaller adjustments to reduce the visible signs of blushing.
4 Tips to Stop Blushing in Public
Is the fear of blushing stopping you from achieving your true potential? Are you constantly seeking answers for how to stop blushing at work or in public?
Here are some tips to stop blushing:
1. Breathing Technique
Blushing anxiety stems from your brain detecting a high-risk situation. This can be because you’ve suddenly been called out at work or met someone you have feelings for, or even when you have stage fright at a social gathering.
Breathing exercises help calm your nerves and tell your brain that things are normal. This will help lower the adrenaline levels in your body, reducing your heart rate and the vasodilation that makes you blush.
Find a quiet place, concentrate on a wall or any other stationary object, and focus on your breathing. Breathe in to the count of four, hold it for two counts, and exhale over the count of six. After a few minutes, you should feel calm, and this will help you stop blushing.
2. Treat Anxiety Disorders
Social anxiety, stage fright, and stress are common triggers of blushing. You may have self-doubt and feel self-conscious about yourself, your appearance, or your capabilities.
By treating anxiety, you can effectively reduce or prevent blushing. The best way to handle blushing anxiety is with CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy), exposure therapy, and blushing hypnosis.
In exposure therapy, you’re introduced to your triggers in a slow and controlled manner, usually under the guidance of a therapist.
In hypnotherapy, a professional hypnotherapist helps you relax and reach a trance-like state. During the hypnosis session, your therapist will access your subconscious mind to understand your triggers while introducing you to positive cues and visuals. This helps you better cope with anxiety-inducing situations and reduce the occurrence of blushing episodes.
3. Using Makeup
If you’re looking for a quick fix to stop blushing, you can use makeup to prevent the signs of blushing from further embarrassing you.
According to colour therapy, green neutralises red. When you’re doing your makeup, start by prepping your face with primer, use a lightweight foundation, and follow it with a green colour corrector. Set with a concealer and some powder.
This can be especially useful when you have social anxiety and need to attend a party or gathering, and constantly feel self-conscious about your flushed cheeks.
4. Accept Blushing
The best way to deal with an embarrassing situation is to laugh about it. When you smile or laugh, it tells the brain that you’re safe and things are fine; this will help you relax. Instead of keeping at the back of the room, smile and socialise. While it may be intimidating in the beginning, the more you smile, the better you’ll feel.
Blushing is usually accompanied by a warm feeling. So, if necessary (and if possible!), lower the temperature on the thermostat, step outside, or take off your coat. Swap alcohol for a glass of cold water, which helps you control the flushed feeling.
Book A Session with Susannah For Help With Blushing Hypnosis
Anxiety can negatively impact your health and prevent you from achieving your goals. If you’re seeking effective ways to stop blushing, hypnotherapy can help.
During hypnotherapy, I’ll help to rewire your subconscious thought patterns, helping you feel calmer and more in control of the situations you face, which can offset anxiety.
Hypnotherapy will help you feel more empowered, confident, and self-assured. My bespoke anxiety hypnotherapy programme is available both in-person and online.
Contact me for professional support to feel calmer and more confident or explore the treatments I offer.
by