Alright, alright, we all have been there. Face turning the color of an apple? Yup, that's blushing!
Flashback, you are in high school and your secret but not so secret crush asks you to help them arrange the pookkalam, and suddenly everyone's eyes are on you. Your heart jumps, your whole body heats up, and your face feels like it's melting. You're full-on blushing, and it's super awkward. Been there, done that, right? But why does this happen?
The science behind blushing is kinda weird. Unlike the stuffs like laughing and tears, it's not exactly clear why it occurs. It's more complex than that.
Here's a cool fact, Only humans blush! No other animal does it the way we do. It's a strange human thing, even compared to having rare hair or eye colors. Some animals, like parrots, might change color, but it's not the same as human blushing. (How cool is that?!)
Our blushing is all about our social side and how we function in groups.
When you feel embarrassed or ashamed, your body goes into fight-or-flight mode. This means chemicals like adrenaline course through you. These chemicals widen tiny blood vessels in your face, making it turn all red and cutesy.
Ever wonder why embarrassment feels similar to being scared or stressed? Well, scientists call feeling embarrassed or ashamed social pain. Basically, our ancestors needed to feel this social pain to survive as a group. Being kicked out of the group was just as dangerous as being chased by a tiger (well, at least for them).
So, why did blushing even become a thing?
Here's the theory, Blushing might help us get along better. Studies show that blushing seems to make people appear more apologetic. We tend to see people who blush as being more sincere, trustworthy, and sorry for their mistakes.
When you think about it, getting defensive in a social situation isn't a good look. But blushing shows that you own up to your mistake.
While blushing is a physical reaction (like yawning), understanding why it happens is a bit more complex.
There are many reasons your face might turn red, hot weather, cold weather, meds, working out, you name it. But that's not blushing. Blushing is the automatic red you get when you're self-conscious and worried about how others see you.
Here are some of the things that can make you blush:
Awkwardness: Yep, the classic one. Saying something dumb or messing up socially can definitely make you blush.
Feeling exposed: Blushing often happens when everyone's staring at you. It's like you're under a microscope and feel like everyone's judging.
Getting a compliment: This might seem weird, but getting praised, especially a lot, can also make you blush because it puts all the attention on you and might make you worried about messing up.
Do some people blush more than others?
Yep! It can be partly because of your genes. People with social anxiety tend to blush more often.
Can you stop yourself from blushing?
So, there you have it! Blushing is basically your body's way of saying "whoops!" in a bright red font. Next time your face turns into a tomato, remember, it's just science (and maybe a little bit of your crush asking you to be pookalam buddies together). Just play it cool, maybe throw in a smooth move for good measure, and who knows, things might just work out!
P.S. Don't try using the deep breathing technique to impress your crush. Unless you're aiming for that hyperventilating hamster look. JK, "Just Kidding"
If blushing or social anxiety is something you struggle with, you're not alone. At Koott, our experienced Malayali psychologists offer online counseling to help you navigate these feelings and develop healthier coping strategies. Reach out today and take the first step toward building confidence and emotional well-being!
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