A crush is a deep emotional attachment to someone. It is a feeling that can be amazing and agonizing at the same time. Sometimes crushes blossom into something more, and sometimes they go unrequited, leaving you crushed. But whatever the outcome, crushes can teach you a lot about yourself and how to treat people.
If you have a crush, you may feel butterflies in your stomach, your heart skips a beat when they are around and you can’t stop thinking about them. They could be your best friend, the boy from chemistry class or your neighbor. It is a natural human reaction to have feelings for a person that you don’t even know.
The word crush comes from the Latin verb cruc meaning to break apart or crush. It can also refer to the act of breaking something into smaller pieces. In the past, crush was used to describe a feeling of intense love or affection, but today, it is mostly referred to as an infatuation with a person or thing. It is often compared to a sexual attraction or an obsession.
Studies have found that crushes are most common in adolescence and they can be about friends, family members, neighbors or strangers. When a person has a crush, they tend to see the world through rose-colored glasses and have unrealistic expectations. This can lead to disappointment, sadness and even depression.
Researchers have found that a person’s hormone levels change when they have a crush. When you have a crush, your brain releases mood-boosting chemicals such as dopamine and oxytocin. These chemicals make you feel euphoric and happy. You also have a higher level of serotonin, which helps regulate emotions. It is also possible that you experience a surge of the stress hormone cortisol when you have a crush.
There are several ways to communicate a crush to the person you have feelings for. You can flirt with them, ask them out for a drink or put your feelings out there in a more direct way. However, it is important to consider any current relationships or commitments before you act on your feelings. This is because attraction to others outside of a committed relationship predicts relationship instability and can lead to infidelity.
Although it’s normal to have a crush, you should try to avoid acting on these feelings if you are in a relationship. It is possible that your feelings are not reciprocated and this can lead to the end of the relationship. It is also a good idea to consider how your crush might respond before you do anything that would hurt them. You may also want to think about how you have acted in the past in similar situations. Getting your crush’s attention can be difficult, especially when they are already in a relationship or have their eyes set on another person.