There is a reason why having a work crush or a cheeky flirt with the local barista feels so good.
The excitement of the endless possibilities between the two of you with no bad blood or history to taint your imagined future.
There are a million reasons why you are attracted to one person over the next, i.e. your physical type, your attachment style or your personality.
However, when you find “the one” these reasons become blurred and the answer to the question “Why?” becomes unclear.
One thing that can be explained for certain though is the reason why having a crush has such an effect on your mood.
A crush can be best described as an attraction based on fantasy that lacks any real substance, hugely different from love and intimacy which are built around real connection.
When you begin to have a crush on someone you will release the chemical norepinephrine which heightens the levels of arousal in your body.
It is that increased level of energy in your body that gives you the physical symptoms of a crush- the increased heart rate, sweaty palms, butterflies, etc.
After your initial dose of norepinephrine, your body will release a hit of dopamine which results in a huge spike in energy, motivation and joy.
As a result of these two chemicals being released, the feeling of having a crush can be compared to taking a drug- and the high can become addictive in the same way.
Dopamine rushes also provide general motivation, the presence of a crush in a work setting can help you to perform better at work, feel more creatively productive, or even be more active.
Norepinephrine also has a positive impact and can often help you to feel more awake, alert, and attuned to the world around you.
Having a crush heightens all your senses, not just your head and your heart.
A crush is so much more than just a superficial attraction: It’s fun and good for the soul.
