A crush is a state of intense, sometimes unrequited adoration or obsessive feelings for someone you admire. While some of us might chalk up crushes to raging hormones and teenage crushes, they can actually hit at any age—and even when you’re in a committed relationship.
There are a number of positive and negative outcomes to having a crush—some that are more serious than others. For example, many participants expressed moral concerns that their crush represented some type of betrayal or unfaithfulness to their primary relationship in some way. They also frequently cited fears that their crush would get jealous or upset with them. In addition, a few participants reported being frustrated or annoyed by the crush.
Most often, however, people report that the positive outcome of their crush is a feeling of excitement and giddiness. They feel a sense of closeness and bondedness to their crush—even if they don’t want or need that level of intimacy. They may also fantasize about being with their crush, and they’re likely to spend more time thinking about them.
In the most severe cases, a crush can lead to “limerence” or “infatuation.” Limerence typically hits during youth, but it’s not uncommon for adults to experience feelings of this kind as well. While it might be embarrassing to admit, it’s important to recognize that a crush is a natural part of the human experience. It’s a part of what makes us human, and it can help keep our brains happy and healthy.
Having a crush can be distracting and can interfere with the quality of your current relationships, so it’s important to find a healthy way to deal with your feelings. If you’re able to channel your energy into something productive, like working out or journaling, you might be able to get the rush you need without jeopardizing the health of your existing partnerships. For one person, that meant learning a language to better communicate with her crush; for another, it was taking on the full New York Times crossword daily.
Crush was originally manufactured by the Schweppes company in 1919, and went on to become a popular beverage through a series of ownership changes. In recent years, the brand has made an effort to revitalize its presence in the market, introducing limited-edition flavors and embracing nostalgia with marketing campaigns. The product currently comes in several crowd-pleasing fruity flavors, including Orange, Diet Orange, Strawberry, Grape, Pineapple and Zero Sugar Orange. Some of these flavors are available nationwide, while others have regional distribution.