Spring is finally here—a season most people welcome with open arms. The birds are chirping away, people are out and about in the warmer fresh air, and pretty soon the foliage and flowers will display an abundance of colors. What’s not to like about that?
I love how this season invokes the feeling of a fresh start, even if it’s simply breathing new life into the regular pace of our daily family routines. For single people though, Spring can also be the season of love. I’m not, of course, referring to myself since I’m quite happily married to my best friend. However, I once was single, and as with my other unhitched friends, this season signaled a desire to start dating more in the hope of finding “the one.”
Generally speaking, there’s nothing wrong with that. However, sometimes it’s tempting go a little crazy especially with easy access to dating apps that seem filled with possibilities. Before you do that, make sure you know what your dating intentions are. If you’re not ready for a long-term commitment and would prefer to date casually, that’s okay. If you’d like to find a life partner with whom you share values, goals, and interests, that’s good to know.
Your Brain is the Organ of Love
The reason it’s important to think about these things is because your brain is very involved with all things related to love. In fact, strong chemistry with another person can essentially hijack your brain. Yes, hijack it! This is because new love is very much like a drug. It actually activates the reward centers in your brain—just like cocaine and sugar can. While great chemistry makes you feel amazing in many ways, it can override the reasoning part of your brain that helps you be insightful and make good decisions.
New love is just like a drug and activates the reward centers in your brain the same way cocaine and sugar can. Click To TweetAs you know, after a while in an intimate relationship your brain settles down, and when it does, the reality of your connection with the other person becomes clearer. It allows you to see if the relationship feels right to you—solid and with a lot of potential. Conversely, after the luster of new love has worn off, you might find that you’re not so interested in the person anymore, or you get that vibe from them. Either way, it’s likely to sting for one of you.
Keep Your Brain in the Driver’s Seat
There’s no question that finding true love is one of the most satisfying experiences in life, and I want that for you if you don’t already have it. But I encourage you to pursue it wisely and make good choices.
There’s no need to make your life any more complicated than it already is, so before you go out there into the wild world of dating, I suggest you do these 3 things:
- Write down what your relationship goals are and be honest with yourself about this.
- Identify what characteristics are important for you to have in a meaningful connection with a partner so you don’t sell yourself short.
- Promise yourself that you’ll pay attention to your gut and respond to any warning signs of trouble ahead with a love interest.
So go out there and enjoy meeting new people but do it safely and use your brain so you can stay mindful of your thoughts and behavior each step of the way.
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If you’re struggling and need professional help, Amen Clinics is here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, remote clinical evaluations, and video therapy for adults, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.