This is why falling in love can feel so scary (and this is what you can do about it)

It is one of the scariest things I have ever done, and no, I'm not talking about taking a solo trip to the other side of the world or jumping out of a plane (I would never do that, are you crazy). I'm talking about falling in love. Every time it happened, I found it truly terrifying. I'm talking about heart palpitations, sweaty hands, a confused mind because I don't know whether to fight, flee, or just let it happen. Now, I may not be the best control group, since my nervous system is always on Hunger Games mode, but the one who said that falling in love is one of the most beautiful things on earth is really the biggest liar. Psychologists actually agree and explain why falling in love often feels more terrifying than pleasant.

Fight or flight
Intense emotional and physical reactions are released the moment you fall in love. The classic symptoms we associate with falling in love, such as a racing heart and butterflies in the stomach, according to psychologists send a fight or flight response to our body, because it cannot distinguish between danger and love. In the modern world, where we actually don't need our fight or flight instinct that often anymore, it still comes out in everyday stressors like annoying work emails or meeting a new date. It seems that our nervous system still reacts as if we are face to face with life-threatening danger, while we are actually just getting weak knees from a few brown curls and green eyes.

Here's what you can do about it
If this feeling of danger when falling in love overwhelms you, there are a few things you can try to cope better.

Awareness: recognize the intense emotions and physical reactions you experience when falling in love.

Self-reflection: ask yourself whether these reactions signal a real threat or stem from the stress response you feel when you really like someone.

Speak it out: talk to friends or professionals to gain different perspectives and understand what is going on.

Working with a therapist: sometimes it is difficult to step out of your own head and see what is really going on. Working with a therapist can be really valuable in finding ways to cope with certain stress responses.

Breathing exercises: here she comes again, with her breathing exercises, but they really work! Use them to calm your nervous system and send a signal to your brain that everything is okay.

Put it into perspective: understand that, even if your body reacts as if there is life-threatening danger, the situation is often less threatening than it seems.

And lastly: remember that falling in love is supposed to be fun. So try to enjoy it a little, amidst the panic. Happy dating!

Source: Well and Good | Image: Netflix