A crush is that person who makes your heart skip a beat, who lights up your whole world when you see them. They might be the guy or girl who sits behind you in class, your neighbor, a coworker, or maybe even a celebrity. They may not even know that you like them, but you can’t stop thinking about them. It’s hard to focus on anything else, and your hands are constantly sweaty. Your heartbeat speeds up and your ribcage shakes with each breath. But if you can handle the anxiety, the thrill of crushing on someone might just be worth it.
Crushes are pretty common, especially in adolescence when the hormone changes occur. They can also be unrequited, which can cause a lot of anxiety. However, it’s important to remember that just because you’re crushing on someone doesn’t mean that they feel the same way. Even if they’re in a relationship, you could still have chemistry.
Whether you’re looking at your crush through rose-colored glasses or not, the truth is that the feelings are real. It’s natural to fantasize about them and imagine all kinds of scenarios in your head, but you can’t make decisions solely based on the happy chemicals that your brain is giving you.
While some people are able to move on quickly after their crushes fade, others are left in a state of shock or awe and struggle to find closure. You can take steps to ease the stress of crushed feelings by taking a deep breath and finding ways to calm your body, such as drinking water or listening to music. You can also try to distract yourself by focusing on other things, such as a project or socializing with friends who don’t have a crush on the same person.
Another way to help yourself get over a crush is to understand the psychology of it. You might notice that you act differently around your crush than you do with other people. For example, you might be a normally talkative person but feel tongue-tied when your crush walks in the room. This is because the more you focus on your crush, the more your neurotransmitter levels change, leading to heightened emotional responses.
When you have a crush on someone, the hormone serotonin spikes and triggers mood changes. Fluctuating serotonin levels can make you feel depressed and anxious, which can be exacerbated by the fear of rejection that comes with new-crush territory. In addition, the amygdala is active during a crush, which can further increase your emotions and lead to a fight-or-flight response. It’s important to remember that these feelings are temporary, and you shouldn’t make any major life decisions based on them.