Embarrassment can be triggered by a variety of things from a clumsy misstep to an exposed secret. The raw foundation of embarrassment is the negative notation we perceive upon ourselves, when we are forced against the adherence to social norms. Bullying or teasing are among the catalysts to the embarrassment that we may feel. What is so menacing about embarrassment is that the sensation is often easily noticed. There are some common factors that most share when embarrassed:
Blushing:
Embarrassment causes the body to produce adrenaline–anyone connecting the fight or flight response here? This causes the dilation of blood vessels, which pumps blood up into the face, neck or ears.
Excessive Sweat:
When your body undergoes stimulation of emotions, such as nervousness or embarrassment, the fight or flight system reacts, enlarging the sweat glands of some areas to help thermoregulate the body. More specifically, the hypothalamus in the sympathetic system triggers the Eccrine glands. The Eccrine glands are primarily present in the forehead, palms, and balms of the feet. Thus, when they are overtly stimulated by these sensations, these areas sweat the most. This condition of producing sweaty palms through emotional distress is known as, “Palmar Hyperhidrosis” in the medical world.
Reduced eye contact:
It is a common reaction to divert one’s eyes to any potential eye contact, when embarrassed and is commonly associated with the “shame” that we put upon ourselves. When we talk about something that makes us comfortable, we tend to avoid eye contact, as humans tend to associate it similarly as a defence mechanism. According to Psychologist World, by not making direct eye contact, people may use the action to be more intrinsic and think about their circumstances further.
We all get embarrassed. Trust me, I am by no means a victor of excessively blushing. But we all have our mechanisms and faults. The more that we focus on them, the more it may prove to be detrimental. Learn to live with them, and perhaps one day, you may learn to embrace the embarrassment.