While almost everyone experiences anxiety from time to time, if you suffer with extreme blushing, your anxiety is written all over your face for everyone to see. Whether you get nervous in social situations or become embarrassed when speaking in front of a group of people, blushing is a telltale sign of what you're feeling. Using techniques to stop blushing can help you gain control over your facial redness and look calmer, cooler and more collected, even if you're feeling anxious on the inside.
Step 1
Watch for your triggers and utilize rational therapy to reduce your anxiety, suggests the Social Anxiety Institute. Rational therapy deals with finding the root cause of your blushing and explaining it to yourself so you anxieties are more manageable. For instance, if you know you'll blush at a work party because you're in a social situation, talk to yourself about your coworkers and what could happen at a work party. Tell yourself that everyone likes you and there is no need to be nervous. This can help you gain control over your blushing in a natural and rational way.
Step 2
Breathe deeply when you begin to feel yourself blush or feel anxious, suggests HelpGuide.org. Focusing on your breathing by breathing in for three counts and out for three counts can give you something other than your blushing to focus on. It can also steady your nerves and slow your pulse so you can calm down and continue without blushing.
Step 3
Take a break if you're in a situation where you can feel yourself blush. There's no harm in excusing yourself to take a break in the restroom and focus on something other than your anxiety for a few moments. Step away, regain your composure, and come back when you feel more in control of your blushing.
Step 4
Cover your cheeks with a light dusting of pressed powder to diminish the brightness of your blushing. That way, even if you do feel yourself blush, you know that not everyone is noticing. This is helpful because you may begin to blush, feel embarrassed and then blush some more. By covering your blushing with makeup, you can calm down easily knowing that only you know that your face is going red.
Step 5
Schedule an appointment with your doctor to talk about medical treatment options. Antianxiety medications may be helpful. A surgery called endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy can also sometimes be helpful with excessive sweating and blushing together. The surgery destroys the nerves that trigger your blushing reaction, notes the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
