Topics — Emotions

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At first glance, the term “emotions” seems simple. In fact, many people even conflate it with “feelings.” But what does the term actually mean, and is it as simple as we tend to think?

However, emotions play a central role in human lives and relationships and, for many people, form a pillar of human experience. They can run the gamut between positive and negative, and they ultimately influence—to some extent—most people’s overall health and well-being.1

Emotions also have the potential to affect the decisions we make. As a result, much can be gained by cultivating a better understanding of what emotions are in general and how they shape individual lives in particular.

One key to developing healthy and resilient approaches to processing emotions is called emotion regulation.

References

  1. Fredrickson, B. L., & Joiner, T. (2002). Positive emotions trigger upward spirals toward emotional well-being. Psychological Science, 13(2), 172–175. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9280.00431

All Articles on Emotions

  • Photo by Carli Jeen on Unsplash (article on emotional self-care)
    Self-Care

    Emotional Self-Care: Importance, Benefits, Practices

    Emotional self-care can encompass any actions you take to cope with stress, express emotions, and foster positive feelings about life.

  • Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash (article on dog depression)
    Animals

    Dog Depression: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments

    Dogs with depression can exhibit similar symptoms to humans with depression. Learning more about dog depression may enable you to help your pet receive effective treatment if necessary.

  • Photo by Cristian Newman on Unsplash (article on happiness)
    Emotions

    On Happiness, Positive Emotions, and a Meaningful Life

    The term happiness can encompass well-being, health, human flourishing, eudaemonia, hedonism, subjective well-being, psychological well-being, contentment, and more.

  • Photo by Adrian Swancar on Unsplash (article on disgust)
    Emotions

    On Disgust

    According to the APA, disgust is defined as a strong aversion toward a smell, touch, person, or behavior that is considered “morally repugnant” to the person experiencing disgust. Although disgust might have first evolved for beneficial reasons, it can also have downsides—particularly when it is extreme, occurs in inappropriate circumstances, or interrupts daily functioning.

  • Fontainebleau Forest, early 1860s, Eugène Cuvelier, Public domain, Met museum (article on fear)
    Emotions

    On Fear

    Fear, a human emotion prompted by distress, involves somatic and affective responses to physical, emotional, and real or imagined psychological threats. Some psychological fears are related to uncertainty, failure, pain, criticism, death, and mistakes.

  • Study of a King Rodolphe Bresdin French, Met Museum, Public domain (article on Guilt)
    Emotions

    On Guilt

    The American Psychological Association (APA) defines guilt as a “self-conscious emotion” denoted by a “painful appraisal of having done (or thought) something that is wrong.” It also notes that such emotion can inspire people to reverse or compensate for perceived wrongdoing.

  • Artwork of woman in thought
    Emotions

    On Sadness

    Sadness, according to the American Psychological Association, is “an emotional state of unhappiness, ranging in intensity.” Although sadness often has negative connotations, it can have positive effects in moments of need.

  • Flower Clouds, 1903, Odilon Redon (article on emotions)
    Humanness and Emotions

    Emotions: Types, Role, and Power

    Emotions play a central role in human lives and relationships and, for many people, form a pillar of human experience. Much can be gained by cultivating a better understanding of what emotions are in general and how they shape individual lives in particular.

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