A brief look at emotions

Emotions, defined by Merriam-Webster as "conscious mental reactions subjectively experienced as strong feelings, usually directed toward a specific object, and typically accompanied by physiological and behavioural changes," serve a crucial purpose. Emotions act as signals, drawing our attention to elements in our environment that demand notice or offer support.

According to Bray (2013), emotions are adaptive traits that aid in survival, memory, problem-solving, communication, pain avoidance, and pleasure-seeking. They are not adversaries but allies in leading the life we desire. Rather than categorising emotions as positive or negative, it's vital to view them simply as information guiding our actions. Humans are designed to experience a broad spectrum of emotions throughout life.

We undergo primary emotions as immediate responses to events or triggers. These are natural reactions, such as feeling sadness at a loss. While primary emotions are challenging to control, secondary emotions, arising in response to the primary ones, are more manageable. For example, we can choose how to respond to sadness, potentially preventing frustration or other secondary emotions that can lead to destructive behaviours. Acknowledging primary emotions without judgment is crucial in minimising secondary ones. Remember, feeling a certain way doesn't necessitate immediate action. This self-awareness is central to emotional regulation.

While emotions are invaluable, they can sometimes overwhelm us. Rather than aiming to eliminate them, the goal is to manage them effectively. In a series of upcoming blog posts, I will share techniques for identifying, accepting, and compassionately managing your emotions.

References:

Bray, S. (2013). Emotion regulation in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy.