I get embarrassed very easily; I go all red in the face and since I have red hair, it's really obvious! It happens when I do public speaking, meet someone for the first time, see a cute guy, or talk to someone popular at school. Now it's starting to happen even when I'm not embarrassed. What can I do?
Jenny, ACT

Blushing occurs when the blood vessels in the face open up. With nervousness usually comes some kind of physical reaction (like your heart beating faster and breathing quicker) and for many people, reddening of the skin is part of this. Blushing is best managed by controlling your anxiety. Gain greater control over your body's responses by taking slow, deep breaths when you start feeling self-conscious. Breathe in, count to 10 and then breathe out slowly, saying the word "relax" to yourself and letting go of any tension in your body. Doing this for a minute or two helps calm the body down, reducing the chances of blushing. Also, be aware of what you're saying to yourself. Counteract any anxiety-producing thoughts with calm, coping statements like, "I'm okay, I can do this". The more concerned you are about the possibility of blushing, the worse it will be because the worrying will rev your body up even more. Remind yourself: "Even if I blush it's not a disaster, it happens to lots of people. Just stay calm".