Timothy LongI healed my blushing and I have helped many other people stop blushing
All through my teenage years and well into adulthood I suffered from horrible facial blushing and flushing, and social anxiety. I spent many years avoiding social interactions. The fear of blushing severely held back my life. After suffering silently for many years, I finally set my mind to healing my facial blushing and anxiety. I experimented with many different methods. Eventually, I not only healed my own blushing and extreme anxiety, I learned how to do this for other people.
Because I know how terrible it feels to have this blushing problem and social anxiety, I am very passionate about helping people resolve these issues. Blushing and flushing is often accompanied by social anxiety, body image, and self-confidence issues. The shame and embarrassment that goes along with blushing, and the failure to thrive in life compounds the suffering. The good news is, it does not have to take years to cure these issues. No medications are needed, and certainly no surgery is needed to cure and stop facial blushing and flushing, or if only on the neck and chest.
First steps to stop facial blushing
To begin, super limit caffeine or ‘energy drinks’. I recommend avoiding most alcohol as well. Don’t worry, you won’t always have to avoid all caffeine and alcohol. The reason you want to avoid these drinks is to calm the nerves, adrenal glands, and the facial capillaries. Facial blushing or flushing, like alcohol and caffeine, dilates the blood vessels. Facial capillaries are also sensitive to excessive heat or over-exposure to the sun. It is also wise to avoid bathing the face in hot water.
People that have fair, sensitive skin are more prone to blushing. It is wise to use natural sun blocks on the face year round to protect from harsh sun rays. A healthy, natural diet will support healing your skin and lowering stress in the body. Avoid excess sugar to lower stress levels. Avoid junk food, food laden with chemicals and preservatives, things like MSG and high fructose that stress the brain and nerves.
It is common for people with blushing and anxiety to self-medicate with alcohol and cannabis. Trying to suppress the anxiety will only keep the cycle going. As hard as it seems, I highly encourage you to speak to friends and family about it, no matter how difficult or embarrassing this seems. The truth is, trying to hide and cover up anxiety, stress and blushing, only results in increasing it. If it is not stopping, it is time to seek professional help. Find a therapist that has actually suffered from these issues and has experience in resolving it.
Common misconceptions about facial blushing
I often hear different versions of this statement from my clients: “The cause of my anxiety, stress or confidence issue is because I blush, and if only I did not blush or turn red, all would be fine.” Nearly 100% of the time the opposite is true. In my experience, underlying nearly every person’s blushing issue, is an emotional issue or life experience that created the foundation for the blushing, fear and anxiety. Low self worth and confidence issues are definitely exacerbated by blushing, but they usually existed before the blushing.
It is common to blame the cause of confidence and anxiety issues on the blushing. Though I find that resolving the root causes of anxiety and confidence issues – cures the blushing. Clients are not usually conscious of all of the underlying contributing factors when we first begin working together. This is why you want to work with therapist that knows how to recognize and resolve this difficult issue.
Blushing is often related to issues of poor self image, negative self talk, negative self beliefs, and fear of being judged. People that blush are usually very self-judgmental as well. They often fear being the center of attention. People will say it is because of the blushing, though there are usually deeper feelings and fears that cause the fear of judgment and not wanting to be the center of attention. Blushing is only the end result.
Biological and genetic components contributing to facial blushing and flushing
There are sometimes biological conditions that can be inherited or developed that contribute to facial blushing or flushing. These can involve the neurotransmitters, adrenal and thyroid glands, dietary issues, such as sensitivity to gluten, digestive and allergy issues. In my practice, we address all of these issues as necessary. I have a background in natural medicine as well as psychotherapy.
Fair skinned people are more prone to blushing. Everyone blushes sometimes, and it is true it shows up easier with fair skin. Though people who blush or flush too often, who have anxiety and stress around it, fair skinned or not, have underlying issues that can be addressed and resolved. Having fair skin is not a reason to believe you have to put up with excessive blushing.
What are some of the common factors for people who flush?
Here are a few of the underlying conditions and causes I have encountered with clients:
- Facial flushing often begins in the early teens in middle school, a time that coincides with the advent of puberty and hormones.
- Middle school is also a time where issues of self consciousness, self image and peer pressure begin.
- There was often a family environment where one parent or both were harsh, judgmental, scary, not supportive, verbally or physically abusive.
- A stressful relationship situation involving past or present family, work or school environment.
There is often shame or embarrassment about the way a person looks. Or there can be dislike of the sound of one’s voice, height or weight. Even though the focus is usually on something physical or external, underneath there are deeper issues causing the person to not like themselves and undermining their self confidence. Living with fear of being judged, raises anxiety to a high level and contributes to blushing.
Underlying everything there is usually a deep feeling of shame. There can be so many reasons that cause a person to carry shame. Turning red is the outer condition or sign of carrying inner shame. Often this shame is taken on from parents or abusers. Shame and anxiety conditions are often passed down for generations. Shame is often the result when we feel powerless, unheard, deeply hurt, judged and humiliated.
Take action to end your anxiety and stop blushing and flushing
First, I suggest not wasting time on quick or temporary fixes. I have not had or seen much success with cognitive methods like hypnosis, CBT and DBT. Sometimes they can help some, but they do not fully resolve the deeper issues. Relying on medications, creams or herbal formulas will also not bring a cure. Surgery is risky. There are some herbal and nutritional supplements that can help, but they won’t cure blushing.
Most important, find a therapist to help you discover and resolve the root causes of your facial blushing, fear or anxiety. Find a therapist you feel comfortable with who has specific, personal and professional experience and success healing blushing, shame, confidence and anxiety issues.
I not only can help you stop blushing and turning red, you will also gain new power, confidence and success in all aspects of your life. Take advantage of my complimentary consult to find out if I am the right therapist for you and how find out how I can help you.
I am looking forward to meeting you,
Timothy
I reached out to Timothy when I was desperate for help with my blushing. While I had found success in my legal career as an in-house attorney, I continuously blushed in the workplace and felt embarrassed, weak, and inadequate. I searched the internet for solutions when I came across the Imagine Healing webpage. I reached out to Timothy, and he promptly responded and set up our first session. Timothy’s demeanor is calm, positive, and understanding, which made it very easy to open up to him. Timothy worked with me for several months, and I came to realize how much some of my early relationships had affected me. He taught me mindfulness techniques that helped me ease my anxiety and recognize my worth. He also showed me how my blushing was the result of my own buried thoughts and feelings. Releasing these thoughts and feelings through my sessions with Timothy led to a dramatic decrease in blushing. Though I have stopped my sessions, Timothy’s impact in my life continues– I find myself in a much better place, mentally and emotionally. I am extremely grateful for his invaluable help. Highly recommend Timothy! He truly heals. Sincerely, Mb