Feeling Drowsy Around Your Crush? Here's Why
Having a crush can be an exhilarating yet confusing experience. You may find yourself daydreaming about them, getting butterflies in your stomach when they're around, and wanting to be near them as much as possible. But have you ever noticed that sometimes, being around your crush makes you feel unexpectedly sleepy and tired? What gives?
It may seem counterintuitive, but there are actually some valid reasons why spending time around your crush can leave you feeling drowsy and fatigued. Understanding the science behind this phenomenon can help you manage these feelings and stay energized around your crush!
You're Experiencing Emotional Exhaustion
Having strong romantic feelings for someone can be mentally and emotionally taxing. The constant analyzing of your interactions, daydreaming about future scenarios, and obsessing over tiny details is surprisingly draining on your mind and body. All this time spent in your head thinking about your crush can leave you mentally exhausted.
Plus, being around your crush also activates your body's stress response. Feeling nervous, anxious, and excited around them triggers a release of adrenaline and cortisol, which are helpful in small doses, but can be fatiguing if they remain elevated. This leaves you feeling worn out and sleepy.
You're Hyper-Focusing Your Attention
When you're around someone you have a crush on, you tend to pay extra close attention to every detail - their words, gestures, body language, and more. This requires a tremendous amount of mental energy and focus. In essence, you're using up your reserves of attention very quickly.
Hyper-focusing in this way is linked to increased fatigue and sleepiness. Our brains are only capable of focusing intently on one thing for a limited time before needing a break. Being around your crush requires your brain to work in overdrive, so it's understandable that you'd feel tired afterwards.
You're Experiencing Performance Anxiety
For many people, being around their crush also brings up feelings of performance anxiety and the pressure to present a certain image. You might fixate over saying the right things, appearing interesting or attractive, or coming across as likeable.
Worrying about performing well and managing impressions takes a lot of effort. Overthinking interactions with your crush can make you feel mentally drained. Furthermore, these worries elevate cortisol and other hormones that interrupt sleep. This combination of anxiety, poor sleep, and impression management tires you out.
You're Losing Sleep Over Them
It's very normal to have trouble sleeping when you have a crush. The excitement and anticipation of seeing them the next day can make it difficult to fall asleep. Or you may stay up late daydreaming about future romantic scenarios.
Losing out on sleep has numerous effects, including difficulties concentrating, impaired cognitive function, and of course, increased sleepiness and fatigue. Make sure you are still prioritizing sleep even if your crush is occupying your thoughts at night.
You're Neglecting Other Needs
Having an intense crush can also lead to neglecting other aspects of your wellbeing like forgetting to eat, poor sleep habits, lack of exercise, and not taking time to relax. When you're so preoccupied with someone, it's easy to forget to take care of yourself.
Not getting proper nutrition, winding down, or taking breaks can exacerbate fatigue around your crush. Make sure to meet your basic needs instead of spending all your energy thinking about one person. Taking care of your health will help you be more alert around them.
Tips For Staying Alert Around Your Crush
Feeling drowsy when you're trying to hang out with your crush or impress them is frustrating. Here are some tips to help you stay energetic and engaged when you're with them:
Get Plenty of Sleep
Make an effort to wind down every night and get at least 7-9 hours of quality sleep. Having adequate rest will set you up to feel refreshed instead of groggy around your crush. Start implementing good sleep hygiene like limiting screens before bed, reading before bed, and avoiding caffeine in the afternoons.
Fuel Up With Nutritious Foods
Avoid heavy, fatty foods and go for healthy snacks full of protein, fiber, and complex carbs to provide sustained energy. Fueling up with nutritious foods gives you the stamina to power through time with your crush without getting tired.
Limit Distractions
Reduce multitasking and unnecessary stimulation before seeing your crush. Give your brain a break so you have plenty of focus reserved for meaningful moments together. For example, put away your phone, turn off the TV, and find a quiet spot.
Have Caffeine in Moderation
A cup of coffee or tea can perk you up but don't overdo it - too much caffeine can make you jittery or anxious. Have caffeine at least an hour before seeing your crush so it kicks in at the right time.
Take Deep Breaths
If you feel your energy crashing, take a few deep breaths to flood your body with oxygen while also triggering a relaxation response. Deep breathing can give you an instant boost of alertness.
Go for a Quick Walk
A brief walk around the block gets your blood pumping and makes you more alert. The change of scenery also gives your brain a break. Even just 5-10 minutes of walking can wake you up.
Listen Attentively
Rather than worrying about what to say next, focus on truly listening to your crush. This takes the pressure off you having to perform. Plus, concentrating on what they're saying will keep you engaged.
When to Seek Help
Occasionally feeling tired around your crush is normal, but if it becomes excessive, chronic fatigue and sleepiness could point to an underlying issue:
Sleep Disorders
Conditions like insomnia or sleep apnea can significantly disrupt sleep quality. See a doctor if poor sleep persists despite good sleep hygiene.
Depression
Excessive sleeping, low energy, and lack of motivation may indicate clinical depression. Consult a mental health professional for an assessment.
Anxiety
Fatigue related to worry and rumination may be a sign of an anxiety disorder, especially generalized anxiety or social anxiety. Seeking counseling can help.
Nutrient Deficiencies
Being deficient in key nutrients like iron, vitamin D, or B vitamins can cause unexplained fatigue. Have your doctor run blood tests to check.
Give It Time
At the beginning of a new relationship, it's common to be tired as your body adjusts to the excitement, uncertainty, and novelty. Over time, these feelings tend to settle and you'll likely notice your energy levels evening out around this person. Be patient with yourself and focus on balancing your own needs.
Having a crush can be thrilling but also unexpectedly draining. Understanding why this happens takes away some of the confusion. Make self-care a priority so you can crush it with your crush without needing to take a nap afterwards!
FAQs
Why do I feel so tired when I'm around my crush?
Feeling tired around your crush can be caused by mental exhaustion from overanalyzing your interactions, lost sleep from staying up thinking about them, performance anxiety, hyper-focusing your attention, and neglecting other needs while you daydream about them.
Is it normal to feel fatigued and sleepy when you have a crush?
Yes, it's very normal to experience fatigue, low energy, and sleepiness when you have a new crush or are in the early stages of a relationship. The excitement and uncertainty can be mentally draining.
How can I stay awake and engaged when I'm with my crush?
Get plenty of sleep, fuel up with nutritious foods, limit distractions, have some caffeine, take deep breaths, go for a quick walk, and focus on listening attentively to your crush instead of worrying about impressing them.
What health issues can cause excessive sleepiness?
Chronic fatigue around your crush could point to underlying issues like sleep disorders, depression, anxiety disorders, or nutrient deficiencies. See your doctor if it persists despite good sleep habits.
Will I always feel tired around this person?
Feeling sleepy and fatigued tends to improve over time as the new relationship excitement fades. Stay patient, keep communicating, and focus on balancing your own needs.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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