The role of emotions: Not as scary as they seem
Have you ever wondered why we have emotions?
First, let’s distinguish between emotions and feelings. Emotions are our initial reactions to a stimulus, while feelings are how we interpret and process those reactions. The human experience invites us to learn from and manage our emotions to operate at our highest potential. Mental health, at its core, is about understanding how to harness our emotions and unravel the messages society often sends us to suppress or fear them.
One helpful perspective is to view emotions as the body offering us valuable information—inviting us to respond thoughtfully with our human intelligence.
The Essential Functions of Emotions
Emotions serve several vital functions:
Survival: Emotions like fear and anger help us react to threats and protect ourselves.
Communication: Emotions allow us to express our inner states, facilitating social interaction and understanding.
Motivation: Emotions drive us to pursue goals and avoid negative outcomes.
Decision-Making: Emotions shape our judgments, guiding us toward what we value and steering us away from what we fear.
Well-being: Emotions contribute to our overall well-being by signaling our needs and reflecting on our experiences.
There’s a wide spectrum of emotions, often categorized as basic or complex. Basic emotions include happiness, sadness, anger, fear, surprise, and disgust. Complex emotions, such as love, guilt, and shame, are combinations of basic emotions and deeper cognitive processes—what we commonly refer to as feelings.
Emotional Regulation for Mental Health
To promote mental health, developing emotional regulation is key. This refers to the ability to manage and influence our emotional responses. A common misconception is that emotions control us. While it can feel that way at times, we have the power to learn and apply tools that help us regulate them.
Loud or persistent emotions are simply signals that a problem remains unresolved. Their persistence is a nudge, letting us know that an essential need is not being met. Emotional regulation involves identifying, understanding, and reshaping emotional responses to better align with our values, needs, and goals.
One of my favorite quotes offers encouragement: "Feelings are much like waves; we cannot stop them from coming, but we can choose which ones to surf."
Emotions as Part of the Human Experience
Emotions are an integral part of the human experience. They influence our thoughts, actions, and relationships. By understanding our emotions and developing emotional regulation skills, we can enhance our well-being and strengthen how we connect with others.
The human experience can be challenging, yet the invitation to fulfill your life’s purpose and operate as your highest self is always there for you to accept. The skills needed for this journey are accessible—through personal effort and, when necessary, professional guidance.
