firelily
Member
Yesterday my psychology lecturer did a lecture on facial displays and talked about blushing a fair bit (like how its interpreted etc..). I've blush badly due to social anxiety and its been a huge problem for me ever since I can remember. As soon as I'm the center of attention (or anywhere near it!), I start to go red and I guess thats why I'll do anything to avoid it.
So anway, the professor was convinced that the absolute cure to anxiety-based blushing is a method called "paradoxical intentions". Basically, when you are in a situation where you would normally blush, like if you see a person walking towards you who you know triggers it, then you are supposed to try as hard as you can to blush the reddest, purplest, deepest blush that you can. Focus on trying to blush rather than anything else (like supressing it), challenge yourself to do it. And ideally, you won't blush because your forcing yourself to do it rather than thinking 'oh my god, I'm going to go red' and freaking out. This undercuts and undermines the anxiety of blushing. It gives you back a sense of control over it. And if you do blush after 'trying' to then laugh hysterically (inside).
Now this professor is a total extravert and has obviously never suffered from FB but he is an expert on non-verbal communication. I'm going to test this out because I'm willing to try anything at the moment!
I'll let you know how this method goes)
So anway, the professor was convinced that the absolute cure to anxiety-based blushing is a method called "paradoxical intentions". Basically, when you are in a situation where you would normally blush, like if you see a person walking towards you who you know triggers it, then you are supposed to try as hard as you can to blush the reddest, purplest, deepest blush that you can. Focus on trying to blush rather than anything else (like supressing it), challenge yourself to do it. And ideally, you won't blush because your forcing yourself to do it rather than thinking 'oh my god, I'm going to go red' and freaking out. This undercuts and undermines the anxiety of blushing. It gives you back a sense of control over it. And if you do blush after 'trying' to then laugh hysterically (inside).
Now this professor is a total extravert and has obviously never suffered from FB but he is an expert on non-verbal communication. I'm going to test this out because I'm willing to try anything at the moment!
I'll let you know how this method goes)