List of emotions and feelings : positive emotions, negative emotions, overcoming anger and causes of anger, how to control anger outburst

Emotions

Understanding and controlling your emotions, or feelings, is critical to your mental health. Emotions are the intense, instantaneous feelings you have in response to a situation. They inform you if what you're feeling is scary or calming, soothing or painful. You may learn to express yourself productively if you are conscious of your feelings. For example, you may occasionally feel irritated by a regulation that appears to be meaningless to you. You will be able to explain your sentiments more clearly if you understand why you are upset.

Figure 5 - 1 Facial expressions of emotions are the same in all cultures. Can you identify the emotions shown here?

Emotions are sometimes thought to be mysterious. However, emotions may be comprehended. Understanding and expressing your emotions boosts your self-esteem and makes it easier to communicate with others. It also aids in the better understanding of people. These skills are beneficial to your mental wellness. Emotions exist in people of all ages and civilizations. They frequently have comparable effects on humans. Emotion has an effect on the body. The faces of those who are anxious are generally frowning. They have tight muscles. People who are scared, for example, may sit with their arms crossed and their legs crossed, as if they are trying to protect themselves.

Physical changes are also a result of some emotions. When you are furious, your heart rate increases. When you are worried, you perspire more. Emotions are strong; they have the ability to make you sick as well as cure you.

Some feelings, such as love, are pleasant to experience. They allow you to feel connected to others. They offer you a sense of hope and add to your sense of power. Fear, for example, may be unpleasant. They prevent you from experiencing pleasure and might even make you feel lonely or empty. Emotions aren't inherently "good" or "evil." Even the most mentally sound persons go through a wide range of emotions. What counts is how you cope with your emotions. In reality, unpleasant emotions may be dealt with in such a way that the end outcome is positive. Each emotion is unique to you, and you have the option of expressing or suppressing it.

Love

Love is defined as a great attachment or profound care for another person. Love may be expressed in a variety of ways. It may be conveyed in a variety of ways, including words, touch, and other gestures that demonstrate appreciation and concern. When it comes to love, it is common for it to develop through time. One of the most enjoyable aspects of life is the ability to love. Everyone has the power to offer and the desire to receive love. 

There are many different forms of love, just as there are many different methods to show love. One type of love is friendship. You could consider friendship to be nothing more than "liking." True friends, on the other hand, are devoted to one another and share interests and support. Love is exemplified by such sentiments and actions. Another sort of love is that which exists between parents, children, and brothers and sisters. 

One of the most powerful sentiments a person may have is love for their family. It develops over time as a result of several years of living together. And marital love, between a man and a woman, is one of the most profound forms of love that two people can have. This kind of love entails making commitments to each other regarding every aspect of life.

Some kinds of love aren't directed at specific people. For example, you may adore your homeland. Patriotism can be triggered by respect for the country's ideals and possibilities. You may feel compelled to contribute to the well-being of your nation if you love it. Another type of love is affection for humanity. It leads to a strong desire to serve others, whether it's aiding a stranger on the street or volunteering in the community. Love is a link that unites all of humanity.

Figure 5 - 2 Love can be communicated in many different ways. and can last many years.

Anger

At some point in their lives, everyone feels enraged. Anger is a strong emotion of dissatisfaction. It might vary from irritation to outright rage. It frequently results in a bodily reaction. When you are furious, you may shake in addition to an increase in heart rate.

Anger may manifest itself in a variety of ways. People become enraged when they are frustrated. Frustration is a disappointed sensation. When things aren't going your way, you get upset. Another unpleasant emotion is hostility. It's a milder kind of rage. Hostility is defined as a hostile attitude and behaviour. People who are hostile may make derogatory remarks. They may appear to be cruel. Hostility is frequently manifested through opposing others' viewpoints. If you are antagonistic toward a buddy, for example, you may refuse to talk to that person.

Anger can be beneficial at times. If you witness a buddy being treated unfairly, for example, you may become enraged. This rage may drive you to stand up for your buddy and what you feel is right. Anger is your own reaction to a circumstance. It is not the fault of others. Anger may be channelled in a positive direction. 

However, two methods of dealing with rage are typically harmful: losing self-control and fully suppressing your anger. 

Mark was able to purchase a bicycle after working hard all summer mowing lawns. He went to the garage the next day to collect his bicycle and go for a spin.

He discovered the front wheel twisted out of shape, rendering the bicycle immobile. Tim, Mark's younger brother, had borrowed the bicycle without permission that morning. Tim collided with a fire hydrant and wrenched the steering wheel.

If Mark can't contain his rage, he'll likely take it out on Tim right away. In retaliation, he could beat Tim or break something of his. Mark could even kick the bicycle because he's frustrated. Mark, on the other hand, may choose not to express his rage at all. He could bury it deep inside himself, straining his connection with Tim with silent rage.

Mark took his tennis racket and walked out the door. He spent a long time hitting tennis balls against the garage wall. Then he went to meet his best friend and informed him about his bicycle. Mark sat down with Tim later that evening for a conversation. He expressed his displeasure with what Tim had done. Tim agreed to pay for Mark's bicycle repair using his stipend. 

It is then much simpler to discuss about the incident rather than only attacking the other person. Calm conversation almost always leads to a better solution. It's simpler to communicate with someone who is calm rather than furious. Mark used productive methods to deal with his rage. Anger can be reduced by engaging in physical activity or conversing with a third party. They enable you to get control of the sensation. It's also a good idea to put off speaking with the individual who has made you furious. You'll be able to express why you're upset more clearly once you've cooled down.

Fear

When you believe you are in danger, you experience terror. Fear is the sensation of being afraid. It can cause you to sweat, your heart to race, or your hands and feet to get chilly. Your muscles get tight as well. Your body prepares to defend you from the danger. Fear can arise as a result of a known threat, such as a fire or an accident. Fear of genuine dangers to your life may be a beneficial feeling. For example, it alerts you to leap out of the way of a moving automobile. Fear, on the other hand, might be triggered by the unknown. Some people are scared of heights or rooms with no windows.

Anxiety makes you feel jittery and uneasy. It's possible that your blood vessels will dilate, causing you to flush. Anxiety can cause a "knot in the gut." This is due to changes in your gastrointestinal tract. You're afraid you're in danger, and you're not sure you can manage it. People can have difficulty determining what is causing their worry. Tests in school, a first date, and making a speech are all frequent sources of worry. What are some of the other things that make you nervous?

From time to time, everyone experiences various types of dread. Because they can't always be avoided, knowing how to cope with them in a healthy way is beneficial.

Rachel was assigned the task of giving a short speech to her English class. Rachel became increasingly agitated as the date for her speech drew nearer. What if her speech is dull? What if she blanked out in the middle of it? She grew so nervous that it became impossible for her to study for the speech. Rachel's heart raced simply thinking about it, and her thoughts strayed.

Rachel may lose her appetite and be unable to sleep because she is terrified of giving the speech. She may even become ill on the day of the speech and remain at home. Rachel, on the other hand, could act as though she is unconcerned by the speech. She may not tell others about her worry and may not study very hard.

She could walk to the front of the class and be suddenly overwhelmed by the worry she'd been ignoring.

Rachel decided to talk to her parents about her apprehensions about the speech. Her parents reminded her of previous traumatic experiences she had had in her life. They were also confident that Rachel's speech would be well received by the students. They came up with a solid study regimen for Rachel as a group. Rachel was also given the opportunity to practise making the speech in front of the family.

Rachel handled her anxiety in a healthy manner. Admitting anxiety and talking about it might help you understand it better. It's simpler to make a plan for lowering anxiety if you know what's causing it. Rachel's nervousness was reduced by keeping to a tight study schedule and rehearsing her speech.

When you are afraid, it is essential to acknowledge your feelings and express them to someone who cares about you. Then, whether the threat is genuine or imagined, you can devise a strategy to deal with it.

Fear is associated with the feelings of envy and jealousy. The dread of losing something you already have is jealousy. Envy is the dread of not being able to have what someone else has. When someone is frightened of losing someone's love, they may feel envious. Consider the possibility that a close buddy of yours is paying attention to someone else. You could be envious, supposing that your friend no longer cares about you. When people wish they had something that someone else has, they feel jealous. For example, you could be envious of a student who wears more expensive clothing than you.

Figure 5 - 3 An outstanding coach always gets emotionally involved with the performance of his players.

Figure 5 - 4 People often express fear when danger threatens.

Grief

Grief might be triggered by the loss of someone you care about or the divorce of your parents. Grief is a great sadness brought on by the unrecoverable loss of someone or something. The sorrow of loss may make you feel empty and life seem pointless. Loss is a painful experience. However, it serves as a nice reminder of your capacity for love and friendship. You wouldn't feel any sadness if you didn't have this capacity, but you wouldn't experience any joy either. Grief serves as a reminder that you may find purpose in your life. Everyone goes through grief at some time in their lives. It is possible to get over it in both good and bad ways.

Miguel and his granddad have always had a unique bond.

His grandfather always made the time to ask Miguel how his schoolwork was doing whenever he came to visit. He frequently gave Miguel sound counsel and told him stories about his own youth. They used to go to baseball games together. Miguel returned home from school one day to find his mother angry. His granddad had developed a serious illness. Miguel's granddad died a few days later.

Miguel may get so overcome with grief over his grandfather's passing that he is unable to think of anything else. He may refuse to do his schoolwork or participate in social activities with his peers. Miguel, on the other hand, may refuse to remember his grandfather because it makes him weep. Miguel may decide that the risk of caring for someone is too big while appearing to be pain-free. Because of his past experiences, he may be reluctant to interact with others.

Miguel couldn't believe his granddad was no longer alive. Then, in the weeks after his loss, he was in excruciating pain. He couldn't sleep and wept a lot. He became enraged with the world in general as well. He was particularly enraged at his grandfather for abandoning him. It was difficult for him to finish his schoolwork or visit his pals at first.

But then he began to confide in his pals about the pain he was experiencing. He also told one of his favourite teachers about it. He didn't want to go out very much, but he forced himself to. He began to grieve less after a while. He mourned his grandfather, but he grew to cherish his memories of their happy moments together.

Miguel dealt with his sadness in a healthy manner. It's painful to lose someone significant, but it's far more painful to act as if it doesn't matter. Grief is an ongoing process. Psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, who was born in Switzerland, examined people's responses to death. She recognised five phases of grieving, which are outlined in the table below.

1.  Denial - The person denies that he or she died.

2. Anger - The person feels enraged by the loss and dissatisfied that the relationship with the loved one has ended.

3. Bartering - The individual looks for ways to reclaim what has been taken away from them.

4. Depression - The person feels gloomy and depressed, as though there is no way to reclaim what has been lost.

5. Acceptance - The individual accepts the loss and begins to seek significance in other relationships and areas of life.

Other researchers have described sorrow in a way that differs from Kübler- Ross's. As depicted in Figure 5-6, one scientist identified ten phases of sorrow. It's critical to allow oneself to go through the grieving process. Only then will you be able to accept what has occurred. People can experience both sadness and despair at times. Despair is characterised by a sense of hopelessness or a lack of confidence. If the mourning process is ignored or abbreviated, it can lead to despair. You will feel less alone if you share your feelings with others. It's also crucial to keep up with your usual activities. This is difficult at first. However, you will gradually reclaim your enjoyment of other pursuits.

Figure 5 - 5 Sharing feelings of grief is healthy behaviour. The mourners will feel less alone.

Stages of Grief
Shock and Disbelief	Temporary retreat from hurtful event accompanied by feeling emotionally numb, which may last a few hours or days,
Emotional Release	May cry. Although crying is a healthy release, it may become hysterical,
Depression and Loneliness	Feels out of contact with daily events.
Physical Distress	May lose appetite, develop indigestion, high blood pressure, rapid heart beat, or changes in body temperature.
Panic	Actions may lack clear direction, sometimes accompanied by moments of disbelief.
Guilt	Feels guilty that nothing can be done to change the past relationship; regret and wishful thinking are common at this stage.
Hostility and Resentment	May express resentment toward doctors, friends, or even toward lost loved one.
Dejection	Unable to return to usual activities; all activities seem impossible and difficult.
Reconciliation	Begins positive steps to adjust to life without lost loved one.
Adaptation	Realizes that life can continue. Begins search for new relationships, but not as a substitute for lost loved one. New relations and activities will provide new reasons to continue living.

Figure 5 - 6 Someone experiencing grief may not go through all of these stages, and may not go though them in the order shown.

Guilt

When people act or think in ways that are inconsistent with their beliefs, they feel guilty. Guilt is the sensation of doing something wrong. Stealing, for example, is an activity that plainly goes against societal norms. It's more difficult to detect guilt-inducing thoughts than it is to notice guilt-inducing acts. Angry feelings regarding a loved one are one example. Many individuals feel terrible when they are furious with someone they care about, even if their anger is justified at the time.

Guilt, on the other hand, may be a beneficial feeling. It can assist you in living in accordance with your conscience. It can also assist you in recognising when you have fallen short of your expectations. Then you can opt to improve. Everybody feels guilty from time to time. It will benefit your mental health if you can determine whether guilt is legitimate and how to deal with it. 

Karen wished to wear a jewellery to a school dance. She finally discovered the ideal jewellery in a shop. Karen put it inside her handbag when no one was looking. She began to feel bad about taking the jewellery when home later that evening. Karen may become convinced that she is a horrible person as a result of her guilt. She could be in such a bad mood that she believes she doesn't deserve to attend the dance. 

Instead, she chooses to remain at home. Karen, on the other hand, may determine that her behaviour was not very terrible. Because guilty feelings are unpleasant, she may choose to dismiss them. 

She can wear the necklace to the dance if she wants to. Karen didn't get a good night's sleep that night. She resolved to tell her older sister what she had done the next morning. Despite the fact that stealing was wrong, her sister pointed out. Karen was able to fix her error. Karen made the decision to return the jewellery to the retailer. She apologised to the store owner after returning the jewellery.

Karen dealt with her guilt in a positive way. She took care of her issue immediately away. She was able to understand why she felt bad after talking with her sister. Understanding why she acted the way she did and taking efforts to make amends were helpful in dealing with her guilt.

Review of the Lesson

Emotions are felt by everyone. Learning to recognise and express your emotions in a healthy way is a sign of mental well-being. Hiding or dismissing uncomfortable feelings simply makes dealing with them later more difficult.