A crush is an intense feeling of admiration for someone that doesn’t have the same emotional intensity as falling in love. A crush can be a great source of joy, excitement, and happiness, but it’s important to remember that it is a temporary, fleeting emotion.
Oftentimes, people who have crushes feel anxious and excited when they’re around the person they like. They may even experience a butterfly in their stomach feeling. However, if those feelings are not reciprocated by their crush, it can be extremely frustrating.
Crushes are very similar to infatuations, and they can be a healthy part of a relationship. However, if a crush is left unchecked, it can become an unhealthy obsession. If you have a crush, there are some signs to watch out for. For example, you might spend a lot of time thinking about them or talking about them and avoid other people. You may also begin to obsessively fantasize about being with your crush. You might also make impulsive decisions or start to believe that you can’t live without them.
The Shy Reaction
Have you ever noticed yourself blushing or having a tongue-tied reaction when your crush is around? This is a sign that you have a crush. You might also try to talk over other people in conversation or make sure they know you’re interested in them. Another way to tell is if you are more quiet when your crush is around.
The Outgoing Reaction
Having a crush can be fun, but it’s important to be respectful and not stalk your crush. It’s also a good idea to keep your conversations with your crush at work or school. Having too many interactions with your crush can lead to unwanted attention and even jealousy from other people.
The Biological Similarities
Crushes aren’t always romantic, and they don’t necessarily involve physical intimacy. “However, they do cause your body to release hormones like dopamine and oxytocin,” New York City-based therapist Bukky Kolawole told INSIDER. “Crushes are rooted in fantasy and tend to happen when you don’t know much about the person but idealize what they would be like,” she said.
The majority of participants in committed relationships reported having a crush, but they did not report wanting any increased intimacy or a romantic involvement with their crush target. Instead, they wanted to maintain friendly or flirtatious interactions and privately fantasize about the other person. This resulted in a variety of positive outcomes, including the ability to practice managing their feelings of attraction, self-esteem boosts, ancillary benefits to their primary relationship, and novelty (see Table 5). The themes that emerged most frequently were enjoyment and excitement.