Attraction Information

Blushing


Blushing can be a curse. Blushers experience a range of effects, including loss of confidence and fear of meeting new people. Blushing is an interesting phenomenon, as there is no generally accepted psychological theory to explain it (although many theories have been put forward). Nevertheless, some of the characteristics of blushing have been clarified.

Blushing is one of many psychological processes where feedback loops are important. Whilst a blush can be induced in a very sudden, unexpected way -- your trousers fall down in public, for example -- most blushers report that 'fear of blushing' is the most common trigger. So if we take a person who blushes when discussing sexual matters with a member of the opposite sex, for example, as soon as the conversation begins to steer towards sex, they may find a blush beginning to develop. This is the fear of blushing taking over : whilst the sexual content may appear to be the trigger, in fact it is the awareness that such content is going to be entering the conversation which starts the process off. The feedback loop then kicks in : aware that they are beginning to blush, their discomfort and the colour of the blush both deepen, until we have a full-strength blush and a strong sense of embarrassment.

This process is very damaging, because it generates fear in areas of life where we really benefit from being relaxed. Imagine the handicap of feeling unable to ask for a date. It's tough enough for most of us (!), but many blushers give up on life before it's really begun, because their blushing has effectively stifled their confidence in interpersonal relationships.

Note that the embarrassment is usually for the blush itself. Many blushers report that they regard themselves as socially outgoing, confident people whose only real insecurity relates to their blushing. So they aren't truly embarrassed about sex, in this example, just embarrassed because talking about sex triggers a blush.

The triggers for blushing are many and varied, although most of the triggers which have been reported to me through my work as a hypnotherapist relate to personal or intimate communications, or to public exposure. It's surprisingly common to find very capable, confident, competent people who dread being introduced to a group of people, for fear that they will blush.

How can blushers help themselves? Hypnotherapy and/or CBT (Cognitive Behavioural therapy) are the tools of choice. Through hypnotherapy it is possible to desensitise the individual to their triggers, and also to provide 'escape mechanisms' which allow the person to stop a blush from deepening.

We can all help blushers, simply by realising that the only thing which embarrasses them is people noticing their blush. Ignore it. Act as if it isn't there. Don't mention it, and don't behave as if you've touched a raw nerve -- you haven't. Believe it or not, blushing is largely meaningless.

Jim Sullivan is a hypnotherapist specialising in confidence development and stress management. He may be contacted via the Confidence Club website http://www.confidenceclub.net


MORE RESOURCES:

USA TODAY

Disney to open a 'Cars Land' attraction in California
USA TODAY
By Kitty Bean Yancey, USA TODAY A new attraction called 'Cars Land' -- based on the popular animated films -- is due to open at Disney California Adventure Park at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif. The Disneyland website says the attraction is due later ...

and more »


The Romance Reader: 'Sudden Attraction'
Kansas City Star
Gabriella and Luke recognize their intense attraction immediately, and it takes them a few paragraphs to accept it, and just a few more to embrace it. The reason for their intense and "sudden attraction" is the intriguing part.

and more »


Revised iPhone app gives attraction wait times for Walt Disney World guests
Orlando Sentinel (blog)
It provided attraction wait times for both Walt Disney World and Universal. Now, the company has revised the concept and released Great App for Disney World Wait Times. The company still has a standalone app for attractions at Universal's parks.

and more »


Islands of Adventure closes Spider-Man attraction
WKMG Orlando
"The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man" shut down Tuesday so workers can upgrade the attraction with 4K digital high-definition technology. Universal says the ride will reopen sometime in March, but it hasn't given a specific date.

and more »


New York Post

Deron-Rose only attraction in romp
New York Post
By FRED KERBER The game featured two of the NBA's premier point guards, Deron Williams of the Nets and reigning MVP Derrick Rose of the Bulls. Williams deftly side-stepped and squashed any of the one-on-one angles of the game. “I like playing the best, ...

and more »


Animal Attraction: Have A Heart At Half The Price
KHOU (blog)
by Stacy Fox This Valentine's Day weekend, five Houston area animal welfare organizations are teaming up to help thousands of homeless animals find permanent, loving, forever homes. The Houston Humane Society (HHS), Citizens for Animal Protection (CAP) ...

and more »


Indianapolis Star (blog)

Missed riding the Super Bowl zipline? Attraction could reappear at Indy 500
Indianapolis Star (blog)
The can't-miss attraction from this year's Super Bowl Village may soon find itself at the heart of another massive sporting spectacle in the Circle City – this time, the largest single-day sporting event in the world. Burgeoned by the rampant ...
Indianapolis Motor Speedway eyes zip lineWISH
Speedway Considering ZiplineInside INdiana Business (press release)

all 10 news articles »


Revised iPhone app gives attraction wait times for Walt Disney World guests
Orlando Sentinel
It provided attraction wait times for both Walt Disney World and Universal. Now, the company has revised the concept and released Great App for Disney World Wait Times. The company still has a standalone app for attractions at Universal's parks.



Drugs: A fatal attraction
Strathmore Standard
It isn't just the jump in drug-related charges that have local RCMP working even harder to try and curb the problem; it's the reality that more lives will be lost unless something is done, and they're looking for a little help from the community.

and more »


Science Fiction

'Lost Girl: Faetal Attraction' – Recap
Science Fiction
Bo learns more about the trials and pitfalls of romantic encounters in this week's episode about sex and obsession. This is a recap, so there are spoilers. Dyson drives up to a house. Bo and Kenzi run out and tell him to get back. The house explodes.
'Lost Girl' Season 1, Episode 4 Recap: Faetal AttractionGather.com
Lost Girl Review: Sex is Never Just SexTV Fanatic

all 6 news articles »

Google News

home | site map
© 2006