Is it Sexual Tension Or Just A Crush? Here's How To Tell

If other people comment on your sexual tension, you know for sure it’s on like Donkey Kong.

- Carina Hsieh

I once had a crush on someone and every pause in our conversations or extended look or lingering hug would have me analysing the intention behind it for weeks. When I eventually confessed my feelings for them (I’m not super-disciplined when it comes to secrets), it all came tumbling out. ‘But don’t you also feel the sexual tension?’ I asked.

They did not!

And that was when I packed up all my sh*t and moved out of the city and into the wilderness. (JK-but-not-JK, if you feel me.)

Sexual tension can be a confusing, anxiety-inducing feeling, and that’s even before you factor in the possible rejection. Can sexual tension be felt by just one person? Or is it only sexual tension if both people feel it? To explain if what you’re feeling is classified as sexual tension, we asked experts to break it down.

WHAT DOES SEXUAL TENSION FEEL LIKE?

Sexual tension is the feeling that something sexual needs to happen to resolve the tension in the air between two people, says US-based Carmel Jones, a relationship coach and sex expert at The Big Fling.