emotions. They are people's everyday companions; they make us feel and guide decisions. Joy, happiness, affection, surprise, fear, sadness, or disgust are just a few examples of emotions.

In a physiological sense, emotions are complex psychophysiological responses to specific stimuli or situations. They influence thoughts, behavior, and physical sensations. Emotions play an important role in the perception of experience and are crucial for social interactions, well-being, and decision making.

What are common emotions?

The most common emotions that people experience can vary depending on culture, personality, and individual living conditions. Universal emotions experienced by many people around the world include

• Joy: A feeling of happiness, satisfaction, and positive mood that is often triggered by successes, pleasant experiences, or interpersonal relationships.
• Grief: A sense of loss, pain, and sorrow that can occur as a result of breakups, the death of a loved one, or other disappointing events.
• Anxiety: A feeling of concern, or threat triggered by potential dangers or uncertainties in the future.
• Anger: A feeling of frustration, anger, or hostility that may arise as a response to injustice, misconduct, or personal attacks.
• Surprise: A sudden sense of surprise or astonishment caused by unexpected events or unforeseen changes in the environment.
• Disgust: A feeling of aversion or loathing that can be caused by unpleasant smells, tastes, or visual stimuli.
• Affection: A feeling of affection, affection, or attachment to other people that is often experienced in close relationships, such as friendships or romantic partnerships.

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What types of emotions are there?

Emotions can be divided into different types. These categories include

basic emotions

Basic emotions are often seen as primary and universal human experiences that are similar across cultures. They include joy, sadness, fear, anger, surprise, and disgust.

Complex emotions

The combination or modification of basic emotions creates complex emotions. They are often difficult to describe and can include a wide variety of nuances and facets. Complex emotions can arise from conflicting or mixed feelings and are often the result of complex human experiences or relationships. They are often the result of a profound reflection on our own thoughts, feelings, and experiences. They can help us better understand and process our emotions and motivations, and enable us to develop more complex and nuanced responses to the world around us.

Examples include love, guilt, pride, and shame. Complex emotions can be strongly influenced by individual experiences, cultural norms, and social contexts.

Regulatory emotions

Regulatory emotions are emotions that regulate or influence other emotions. They control emotional experience and modulate reactions to specific situations. Regulatory emotions support emotional health. They play an important role in emotion regulation, the process by which we perceive, understand, and respond to our emotions. Regulatory emotions include

• Acceptance: The ability to accept unpleasant or distressing emotions rather than fighting or suppressing them. Acceptance allows us to consciously perceive our emotions and give them space without being overwhelmed by them.
• Compassion: The feeling of understanding, caring, and connecting with ourselves and others in difficult situations. Compassion can help alleviate negative emotions, such as shame or loneliness, and increase our well-being.
• Self-calming: The ability to calm down and comfort ourselves when faced with stressful or challenging emotions. This can be achieved through relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or positive self-talk.
• Change of perspective: The ability to look at our emotions from a different point of view and find alternative interpretations of events. A change of perspective can help reduce negative emotions such as anger or frustration and contribute to a better understanding of the situation.
• Self-motivation: The sense of determination, purpose, and self-confidence that motivates us to take on challenges and pursue our goals even when faced with obstacles.
• Optimism: A positive emotion that is used to improve our mood and strengthen our hope for a better future.

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‍These are used to control or modulate emotions in order to achieve specific goals or comply with social norms. This includes strategies such as emotion suppression, emotion adjustment, and emotion management.

Positive emotions

Positive or good emotions are those that give us a positive experience and a pleasant atmosphere. They help improve our wellbeing, strengthen our relationships and improve our quality of life.

• Joy: A feeling of happiness, satisfaction, and well-being that is triggered by positive experiences, successes, or interpersonal relationships.
• Gratitude: A sense of gratitude and appreciation for the good in our lives, whether for people, experiences, or material goods.
• Love: A strong sense of affection, attachment, and dedication to other people, whether in romantic relationships, family ties, or friendships.
• Hope: A positive sense of confidence and optimism about the future that motivates us to overcome obstacles and pursue our goals.
• Pride: A sense of satisfaction and self-worth for our own achievements, achievements, and personal attributes.
• Peace: A state of inner peace, serenity, and harmony that is often achieved through meditation, mindfulness, or spiritual practices.
• Fulfillment: A sense of fulfillment and purpose that comes when we use our talents and abilities to serve a purpose or help others.

Negative emotions

Negative or bad emotions dampen the mood. However, it is often not appropriate to describe an emotion as “bad”, as they only represent an aspect of human perception. Some emotions are perceived as unpleasant or challenging. They are perceived as stressful, can fuel uncertainty and influence well-being. These emotions include

• Anxiety: A sense of concern, concern, or fear of potential dangers or threats, whether real or imagined.
• Sadness: A feeling of grief, loss, or depression that is often experienced as a response to breakups, losses, or disappointments.
• Anger: A strong sense of frustration, hostility, or anger that occurs as a response to injustice, provocation, or personal attacks.
• Disgust: A feeling of aversion or abhorrence towards certain objects, situations, or people that is triggered by unpleasant sensory stimuli.
• Shame: A feeling of embarrassment, self-loathing, or inadequacy that occurs when we are ashamed of our behavior, thoughts, or qualities.
• Guilt: A sense of responsibility or remorse for an action or decision that is considered wrong or morally questionable.
• Loneliness: A feeling of isolation, separation, or being alone that occurs when we feel that we are not connected to others or that we are not accepted.

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How do emotions arise?

Emotions are mediated by complex neurobiological processes in the brain that involve a variety of regions and messengers (neurotransmitters). For example, the tonsil and prefrontal cortex are important brain regions involved in processing and regulating emotions.

Although emotions are often viewed as subjective experiences, they are also often expressed physically. They therefore have objective physiological correlates. Physical responses to emotions include increased heartbeat, altered breathing, muscle tension, and hormonal changes. They can be linked to specific emotions and help to reinforce or modulate them.

Overall, emotions play an essential role in our daily lives, influencing our decisions, our relationships, and our mental health. An understanding of emotions and their regulation is therefore crucial for a fulfilling and balanced life.

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You can also find out more about emotions in the articles Understanding emotions and dealing with emotions.