“An emotion does not cause pain. Resistance or suppression of an emotion does.” Frederick Dodson
We tend to move through dualisms. We live in a dichotomous world, where we constantly label and navigate what is right and what is wrong, and emotions are no exception.
What basic emotions exist?
In psychology, there are different theories, postulates, and approaches. Mainly around the incredible and unknown emotions. But are these positive and negative? Do they have good or bad connotations in our lives? To answer this, let’s define the four most basic emotions.
Fear
When we talk about fear, we refer to an emotion that has been with us since we existed, having a primarily adaptive function. Since our origins, fear has existed as a method of survival for our species. It alerts us to situations that can be dangerous for us, but when does this fear stop being useful or necessary? When fear ceases to have an adaptive function.
Fear has an adaptive function, and the first thing it leads you to do is flee or become paralyzed. But is that fear real? That is, is there a real danger in that situation? This is where our capacity for analysis and decision-making power comes in. We must know how to identify what kind of beliefs are causing these fears. What is the danger?
Joy
On the other hand, when we talk about the emotion of joy, it occurs in a situation of gain; it is a state of well-being that has the function of sharing and affiliation. It is true that the tendency is to label this emotion as positive, but it is also true that it can be used as a mask when unable to manage other emotions. Joy can be experienced as a problematic emotion when there is a tendency to be constantly and artificially happy.
Anger
Anger is one of the most intense emotions we can feel and experience; therefore, it is an emotion that usually clouds our most rational part. It appears when our dignity has been attacked, we have been hurt, or our rights have been violated.
As with fear, through this emotion, our body also reacts through the nervous system, accumulating blood flow in the hands, preparing us for possible behaviors that this emotion leads to. All our hormones are stimulated and prepare us for action.
It is an emotion that escapes us, that wants to come out, and that is why, sometimes, we feel that we don’t know how to manage it and believe it should be controlled. Anger arises through a situation where an injustice occurs and has the function of setting limits.
Sadness
Finally, sadness is an emotion that appears in a situation of loss and has the function of introspection and self-reflection.
Sadness is one of the first emotions that emerged in the human species. It is an emotion that invites us to situations of melancholy and longing. It arises when a loss occurs.
To manage sadness, it is important to inquire about its origin: What have you lost in that situation? How do you manage losses? Are you avoiding what bothers you? What exactly makes you feel sad?
Emotions and their functions
Emotion is a response that our organism gives to a stimulus and sends us a message, giving us information. The experiences we live throughout our lives produce emotions in us to a greater or lesser extent.
“We cannot choose our external circumstances, but we can always
choose how to respond to them.”
Epictetus
The important thing, when it comes to managing emotions, is to identify the emotion: what emotion am I feeling?
So, in front of them, stop and ask yourself the following question: What am I feeling?
Next, analyze which emotions you find most difficult to express and manage, which ones you haven’t learned to regulate? Am I feeling a loss? An injustice? A danger?