Tag: emotions

EMPATHY

N kavya

The term “empathy” is used to describe a wide range of experiences. Emotion researchers generally define empathy as the ability to sense other people’s emotions, coupled with the ability to imagine what someone else might be thinking or feeling. The term “empathy” is used to describe a wide range of experiences. Emotion researchers generally define empathy as the ability to sense other people’s emotions, coupled with the ability to imagine what someone else might be thinking or feeling.

Contemporary researchers often differentiate between two types of empathy: “Affective empathy” refers to the sensations and feelings we get in response to others’ emotions; this can include mirroring what that person is feeling or just feeling stressed when we detect another’s fear or anxiety. “Cognitive empathy,” sometimes called “perspective taking,” refers to our ability to identify and understand other people’s emotions. Studies suggest that people with autism spectrum disorders have a hard time empathizing.

Empathy seems to have deep roots in our brains and bodies, and our evolutionary history. Elementary forms of empathy have been observed in our primate relatives, in dogs, and even in rats. Empathy has been associated with two different pathways in the brain, and scientists have speculated that some aspects of empathy can be traced to mirror neurons, cells in the brain that fire when we observe someone else act in much the same way that they would fire if we performed that action ourselves. Research has also uncovered evidence of a genetic basis for empathy, though studies suggest that people can enhance (or restrict) their natural empathic abilities.

Having empathy doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll want to help someone in need, though it’s often a vital first step toward compassionate action.

Empathy manifests in education as well as between teachers and students. Empathy becomes difficult when there are differences between people regarding culture, language, skin color, gender, and age. Empathy is considered a motivating factor for unselfish behavior. Lack of empathy is similar to antisocial behavior. Empathy develops deep roots in our brains, as our evolutionary history. Having empathy does not mean that a person is willing to help someone. It is an essential step toward compassionate action.

Empathy forms one of the most critical components of creating harmonious relationships. It reduces stress and enhances emotional awareness. People are well attuned to their feelings and emotions. Getting into someone’s head can be challenging at times. People tend to be empathetic when they listen to what others have to say. It makes an individual overwhelmed by tragic incidents. Empathy can make an individual concerned about the well-being of another individual.

Empathy helps to make an individual a better person. By understanding what people are thinking and feeling, people can respond appropriately. Social connections build up as a result of empathy. It helps in both physical and psychological well-being. Empathizing with others helps to regulate a person’s own emotions. It helps an individual to manage his feelings even at times of great stress.

Empathy helps a person to engage themselves in helpful behaviors. Not everyone experiences empathy. Some people may be more naturally empathetic than others. How a person perceives another person can influence empathy to a great extent. Being empathetic toward others will help to understand others’ suffering and create harmony in the world.

Key aspects of empathy -:


1. In the absence of empathy, relationships remain shallow.
2. Empathy does not form a part of intuition; it is about understanding others.
3. Empathy is a learned behavior.
4. The capacity of being empathetic to another person depends on each individual.
5. Empathetic people tend to help others more.
6. Painkillers can reduce your capacity of being empathetic toward other people.
7. Anxiety and tension can influence empathy to a great extent.
8. An individual can heighten their empathy through meditation.
9. All humans are inclined toward empathizing with others in their pain and suffering.
10. A genetic defect can reduce an individual’s empathy.

Empathy can be learned and practiced. It is a vital aspect of our everyday lives. It enables an individual to show compassion. It helps to relate to other people, relatives, colleagues, and loved ones and helps to impact the world positively. Some people are born with empathy while some learn it and can increase or decrease it. It is a part of emotional intelligence, which can be taught to children at a very early stage. Children can be taught to be empathetic by sharing their things and not hurting others.

DEPRESSION

N kavya

Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest, also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression. It affects how you feel, think, and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. Depression is not a weakness; you cannot simply “snap out “of it. Depression may require long-term treatment. But we should not feel discouraged because most people with depression feel better with medication, psychotherapy, or both.

Let us see know about the symptoms of depression –:

• Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness, or hopelessness
• Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters
• Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, in their hobbies or sports
• Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much
• Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take extra effort
• Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased cravings for food and weight gain
• Anxiety, agitation, or restlessness
• Slowed thinking, speaking, or body movements
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt fixating on past failures or self-blame
• Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions, and remembering things
• Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, or suicide
• Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches.

People dealing with depression may occur only once during their life, people typically have multiple episodes, and during these episodes, symptoms occur most of the day, nearly every day which also affects their day-to-day activities, such as work, school, social activities, or relationships with others. Some people might even feel generally miserable without really knowing the exact reason.

• Depression in children and teens may include sadness, irritability, clinginess, worry, aches, pains, being extremely sensitive, feeling misunderstood, anger, and poor performance.
• Depression in symptoms in older adults may include memory, difficulties or personality changes, fatigue, and often wanting to stay at home, rather than go out to socialize or do new things.

Causes of depression –:

• Biological differences – People with depression appear to have physical changes in their brains. The significance of these changes is still uncertain.
• Brain chemistry – Neurotransmitters are naturally occurring brain chemicals that likely play a role in depression.
• Hormones – Changes in the body’s balance of hormones may be involved in causing or triggering depression.
• Inherited traits – Depression is more common in people whose blood relatives also have this condition. Research shows genes may be involved in causing depression.

Risk factors of depression –:

• Certain personality traits, such as low self-esteem and being too dependent, self-critical, or pessimistic
• Traumatic or stressful events, such as physical or sexual abuse, the death or loss of a loved one, a difficult relationship, or financial problems.
• History of other mental health disorders, such as anxiety disorder, eating disorders, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Abuse of alcohol or recreational drugs.
• Serious or chronic illness, including cancer, stroke, chronic pain, or heart disease. Certain medications may also trigger depression such as some high blood pressure medications or sleeping pills.

Complications in depression – :

• Excess weight or obesity, which can lead to heart disease and diabetes
• Pain or physical illness
• Alcohol or drug misuse
• Anxiety, panic disorder, or social phobia
• Family conflicts, relationship difficulties, and work or school problems
• Social isolation
• Suicidal feelings, suicide attempts, or suicide
• Self-mutation, such as cutting
• Premature death from medical conditions

Prevention of depression -:

There is no fixed way to prevent depression but these strategies may play a major role –
• Take steps to control stress
• Reach out to family and friends
• Get treatment at the earliest sign of a problem
• Consider getting long–term treatment because it helps to prevent a relapse of symptoms.

Types of depressive disorders -:

• Major depressive disorder
• Anxious distress, Melancholy, Agitated (Major depression looks different in different people. So they are characterized into three types.)
• Persistent depressive disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
• Psychotic disorder
• Peripartum (Postpartum) Depression
• Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
• ‘Situational ’Depression
• Atypical depression
• Clinical depression

Jealousy, Inferiority Complex & Insecurities – Different Words, Same Emotions

Jealousy is common nowadays but none admits it. People love flaunting anger which is as destructive as jealousy but the former isn’t related to self image always. Its just a product of either our emotional state or our pride. But why is jealousy hidden? And why is it more dangerous? Because if anger means killing one’s peace and calmness, jealousy slowly poisons one’s self image,slowly,until there is a sudden awareness of one losing his true identity.

Its not a fault. But

the society perceives it as one. Most of the times people can’t help it. Anger can be controlled but jealousy cannot be controlled if it ever generates in their mind. Yes, it is true that perceptions help us to maintain a positive mental health but not always one can nurture a positive perception. Jealousy is a mirror of our insecurities, self doubt and inferiority complex because when one is truly happy with what they are, they never find the need to compare themselves with some other individuals who are possessing some other different talents or possessions. Often at work or even in colleges and schools, people face the problem of dealing with their insecurities and doubts. People usually applaud the ones who have some visible, well known, unique talents which they successfully convert into skills but however, we all tend to ignore the ones who fail to convert their talents into skills and instead of motivating them, most of the times we find them being cornered, which results to low self esteem. Such people may or may not be compared by their colleagues or family but they start comparing themselves with others and tend to pin point flaws which they think they possess. Whereas in reality these assumptions are worse than hallucinations. Such thoughts and mental state has often lead to many cases of severe depression and suicides as these people loose the interest in their lives and due to continuous comparison, they forget their worth. Henceforth,people who are jealous of others are not always the enemies or haters. They are mostly people who find themselves cornered in the presence of the other people or a particular person, and often loose their confidence and self esteem while comparing their achievements and talents with the others who are applauded in the room


Jealousy is also a product of perfection. When one is considered to be the BEST in the room, their fear often pokes them to hold on to their position and even if someone is applauded, they don’t take it positively. Their mind perceives it as a COMPETITION where they have to win. This is when one starts either being aggressive or a bully. Sometimes even a demotivator. That’s when one stops being a leader and starts being a boss. One compliment to someone else and the mental peace remains broken. This is how fragile jealousy makes our mind.
However in such cases one should talk. If not to their friends or family members, they can talk with themselves. If self comparison is worse than the others comparing us, self appraisal and motivation is way better than the others motivating us. Spending time with ourselves and discovering what we are good at supports our self image. Unless we polish ourselves, we can’t shine.

When our mind accepts the fact that we are a separate individual and that we can’t be someone’s replica, we often free ourselves from one of the most deadliest manmade mental torture device, jealousy. If someone has something better to offer to the world, instead of torturing our peace and our basic personality, we can learn from them. And to do that, we can keep aside our ego and accept the fact that none is the best and there will always be people around us who maybe better or worse than us. The choice is in our hands. We can learn from the better and be our best or we can compare ourselves with the better and be the worse.

How To Manage Emotions

In my previous to previous article on thoughts and how it stimulates emotions I had put forward my view that no emotion exists without a reason. Its there because we think of a situation, a person or something in a particular way which kick starts our emotions accordingly.

I am a teenager and I suffer from unexplainable emotions sometimes. Thanks to the person who gave me the most brightest and the most practical solution to this issue. He is none other than Vex King.

Unlike thoughts, emotions CANNOT be controlled but are to understood. It is only after a thorough understanding of your feelings or emotions that you can conclude the root cause(the thoughts) which created it.

For example: Have you ever felt inferiority complex? The feeling which makes your confidence and belief shiver and which makes your mind the supreme critic of yourself.

How do you at all stop that kind of feeling? Its so common nowadays.

 

• The most important step to take before understanding why you feel the way you feel is to accept that you feel something negative crawling in you. Most of the people nowadays ignore their emotions by working and spending their time somehow. But that never ends the feelings. It just subjugates it and once the person is all by themselves before bed or even for a minute, those emotions swallow down his peace.

They say you cannot run from a truth and emotions are a truth. You cannot run from it. To fight it,you have to face it.

•Question It. (Asking such questions is not just helping you understand tour emotions better but helps you get a closer insight about your thought process, assumptions, perspectives)

Why do you feel emotions of anxiousness and panic? Why do you feel jealous and insecure in someone else’s presence? Why are you questioning your worth?

Because, you THINK and FEEL you are not enough. Somewhere you are so lost looking for validation and praises that even the minute criticism to receive makes your heart stop.

Because you feel what the other person possesses is much better than what you have as they get praised for it and your mind continuously reminds you how foolish you are for not being like them.

Its okay to feel this way. Half of the population of our race feels the similar nowadays.

Because our mind has no achievement to hold on to which it can spoil with ego(not an achievement which our pride can utilize). On further questioning you will find the answer. Just like when you have ego you can’t see anyone else but you, similarly when it breaks you see everyone else but you.  So, its not them who seems too good to be true, its your thoughts and emotions which cloud your awareness from knowing your own capabilities.

Its not our fault. We are so accustomed to feel empty and disposable after our ego is broken, we do not know who we are.

But if you choose to remain this way, it is your fault.

•Are they worth your energy?analyse & question the answers!After questioning and finding the answers to your emotions and understanding the reasons behind their presence, question the validity of the answers. Question the thoughts which made you feel in a particular way about the situation. Why did you think in that way?

Some questions for the given example situation of inferiority complex are as follows:

Can you be the person who, according to you, is better than you? (a rather negative perspective of someone being better than you)

Can you live your life being someone else? Pleasing everyone but you? Living like a puppet?

To which feature of them are you comparing yourself with? Do you know enough about that feature of yours? Have you ever tested it?

The list can go on… which, after a certain time will question your thoughts and changes it with positivity. Self introspection does wonders

•Realization:  This is the final step wherein the complete understanding of the emotions set in. Not only we become aware of the emotions but we have understood it by this stage and now its time to do the needful. With an understanding of your emotional state, now you can actually ‘move on’ in your life with a rather better understanding of yourself.

Emotions make us human. You can never be devoid of it but however, understanding your emotions cuts off the negative and self detoriating emotions and replaces them with calmness and a sense of freedom from the chaos.

 

 

 

 

 

Thoughts Are Yours But Not YOU

Thoughts do not define you.


Isn’t it sounding dumb? Let’s introduce you to a new perspective.

Most of the humans inhabit in themselves a computer which runs in accordance to the instructions. It goes without saying which part of a human it is. It is none other than our brain. The reasons behind our race’s excelling heights but also the main culprit behind its sadness. But it does not define us

How? Still unanswered!

Because the brain is hard to control. Why do you think a person requires a psychiatrist or a psychologist or a therapist to understand their thoughts, reactions and behaviours?

And also…why do you think you want to keep a part of YOU under control?

Because it is not you. And applause to those who become aware of it and consult the right person.

But how do I justify what I just explained?

The subconscious brain acts in accordance to the our thoughts/perspectives and how it usually makes us react to a particular kind of situation.
For example: We may have a habit of getting angry out of nowhere when someone intimidates us . That’s our usual way of thinking in such situation. Fight back!

•Or,we may get worried when smallest of things are left undone. Maybe because our thoughts murmur all possible negative consequences the undone tasks may have

•Or,We may get frustrated when something does not go our way because our thoughts might just block out any possible scope of understanding.

How many times do we end up crying or saying to ourselves “This was not me. I didn’t meant to do it” to ourselves or to the person concerned?

What is similar in these three examples?

Guilt. Surprise. Cluelessness. Breakdown. All of which takes place after we have reacted. But why?

Because it induces toxicity in us. We do not want to react that way but we feel imprisoned.

The kind of thoughts which we nurture towards a certain situation(negative thoughts)stimulate such reactions and when the reaction is delivered, it makes us feel terrible. We end up questioning, why did we act like that?

The answer is, because of our own perspective!
The way in which we usually perceive a situation gets registered deep inside our subconscious mind and its so deeply registered that mostly, we cannot stop ourselves from perceiving things the same way in every situation.
The subconscious mind has observed you thinking one particular way and it has understood how to think thereafter.

Then how do we change the instructions which we gave to this computer?

Be aware of the instructions you give to it. Being aware is the key to controlling your thoughts.
Be aware of the development of this habit of thinking negatively. Be aware of your perspective and how it is controlling you.

Every situation is neutral. We are not really controlled by a situation but by our thoughts regarding the situation.
A positive mindset diverts our mind to the brighter side of the situation. To the goodness present in it. Such a mindset gives us happiness and makes us humble.

A negative mindset is rather cynical. It makes us feel terrible about the situation and thus,we end up acting terribly.
In such a situation we do not control our thoughts but it controls us.

A negative mindset attracts negative vibes, things and sometimes negative self proclaimed prophecies may end up becoming our reality.

But how do we control it?

•Consult a psychiatrist or a therapist. I put it the first because it is important too. The fact about getting medical assistance for mental health is talked about so rarely that I decided to put it as a possible and probably one of the best ways to control your thoughts. Speak it out to them.

•Meditation. Changing your thoughts require you to calm yourself down the first. Meditation gives you an understanding of the true nature of your thoughts by making you calm and relaxed. When calm, you can question your thoughts and be crystal clear about the reason behind its existence. Delete the instructions from the computer by questioning its importance.
Be calm to hear the voices in you

•Engage in positive activities. After deleting the old instructions which your computer was habituated to, you require a set of improved instructions.
Meditation can be the best instruction because it teaches us how to control our thoughts and get a clear understanding of our emotions. Reading self help books help further in understanding your subconscious mind and therefore, helping you understand how to instruct it and get control over it. Yoga helps you to stay active, healthy and can greatly control the stimulation of anger and frustration by assisting you in controlling your thoughts. Pursue new habits. Keeping yourself busy with habits which add up to your growth and development can do wonders to your perspective.
Drinking enough water can equally boost your thoughts. Water absorbs energy and when you surround yourself with positive activities, habits and people, it absorbs the best. Remember, more than half of your body is water. Travelling is an all time favorite therapy for most. Its benefits goes without saying. Go somewhere far and spend time with YOU. YOU and your soul deserves attention.
Practice helping and humility. You can never ever absorb the N of NEGATIVITY in you when your soul is open for all.

At the end of it all, if you are confused between thoughts and emotions, let me explain my take on it.

Thoughts stimulate emotions which in turn stimulate reaction.
Understand your emotions and control your thoughts. The lock is the subconscious mind and awareness is the key.


EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE

The term emotional intelligence was termed by Michel Beldoch in 1964. The term means “it’s the capacity and ability to understand and manage your own emotions in a positive manner. People with high emotional intelligence are well adjusted individual as their emotions are in tune, they can co-up with their stress and panic and are able to handle the situation in an appropriate way. As a result they are able to com up with proper solution in a crucial situation.

Emotional intelligence have five components;

1) Self awareness: It’s an ability to perceive and understand your own emotions. A well adjusted individual is aware of their emotions; like their strength and weakness?

2) Self regulation: It’s controlling the expression of our emotions, an ability to express ourselves appropriately at right place and time; like controlling your laughter when some one can feel bad at.

3) Self motivation: It’s one’s motivation to change , you are setting an aim to achieve it and u are determined to do it; liked getting succeed in your career.

4) Empathy: It’s an emotion of putting yourself into someone’s else shoes. Understanding their situation and their point of view and feeling their pain; like helping a helpless person keeping your biases aside?

5) Social skills: It’s an ability to interact well with others which includes active communication, leadership skills and many more.

The "Dead Bird" Story

Smeared blood, shredded feathers. Clearly, the bird was dead. But wait the slight fluctuation of its chest, the slow blinking of its shiny black eyes. No, it was alive. I had been typing an English essay when I heard my dog’s loud barks and the flutter of wings. I had turned slightly at the noise and had found the barely breathing bird in front of me.


The shock came first. Mind racing, heart beating faster, blood draining from my face. I instinctively reached out my hand to hold it, like a long-lost keepsake from my youth. But then I remembered that birds had life, flesh, blood.

Death. Dare I say it out loud? Here, in my own home?

Within seconds, my reflexes kicked in. Get over the shock. Gloves, napkins, towels. Band-aid? How does one heal a bird? I rummaged through the house, keeping a wary eye on my dog. Donning yellow rubber gloves, I tentatively picked up the bird. Never mind the dog’s barks and protesting scratches, you need to save the bird. You need to ease its pain. But my mind was blank. I stroked the bird with a paper towel to clear away the blood, see the wound. The wings were crumpled, the feet mangled. A large gash extended close to its jugular rendering its breathing shallow, unsteady. The rising and falling of its small breast slowed. Was the bird dying? No, please, not yet. 

Why was this feeling so familiar, so tangible?

Oh. Yes. The long drive, the green hills, the white church, the funeral. The Indo-Christian mass, the resounding amens, the flower arrangements. Me, crying silently, huddled in the corner. The Massey family huddled around the casket. Apologies. So many apologies. Finally, the body lowered to rest. The body. Sahil Elson Massey. Still familiar, still tangible.

Hugging Sahil, I was a ghost, a statue. My brain and my body competed. Emotion wrestled with fact. Sahil Elson Massey, aged 18, my friend of four years, had died in a car crash on Sep. 12, 2020. Sahil was dead, I thought. Dead.

But I could still save the bird. My frantic actions heightened my senses, mobilized my spirit. Cupping the bird, I ran outside, hoping the cool air outdoors would suture every wound, cause the bird to miraculously fly away. Yet there lay the bird in my hands, still gasping, still dying. Bird, human, human, bird. What was the difference? Both were the same. Mortal.

But couldn’t I do something? Hold the bird longer, de-claw the dog? I wanted to go to my bedroom, confine myself to tears, replay my memories, never come out. The bird’s warmth faded away. Its heartbeat slowed along with its breath. For a long time, I stared thoughtlessly at it, so still in my hands.

Slowly, I dug a small hole in the black earth. As it disappeared under handfuls of dirt, my own heart grew stronger, my own breath more steady. The wind, the sky, the dampness of the soil on my hands whispered to me, “The bird is dead. Sahil has passed. But you are alive.” My breath, my heartbeat, my sweat sighed back, “I am alive. I am alive. I am alive.”

The "Dead Bird" Story

Smeared blood, shredded feathers. Clearly, the bird was dead. But wait the slight fluctuation of its chest, the slow blinking of its shiny black eyes. No, it was alive. I had been typing an English essay when I heard my dog’s loud barks and the flutter of wings. I had turned slightly at the noise and had found the barely breathing bird in front of me.


The shock came first. Mind racing, heart beating faster, blood draining from my face. I instinctively reached out my hand to hold it, like a long-lost keepsake from my youth. But then I remembered that birds had life, flesh, blood.

Death. Dare I say it out loud? Here, in my own home?

Within seconds, my reflexes kicked in. Get over the shock. Gloves, napkins, towels. Band-aid? How does one heal a bird? I rummaged through the house, keeping a wary eye on my dog. Donning yellow rubber gloves, I tentatively picked up the bird. Never mind the dog’s barks and protesting scratches, you need to save the bird. You need to ease its pain. But my mind was blank. I stroked the bird with a paper towel to clear away the blood, see the wound. The wings were crumpled, the feet mangled. A large gash extended close to its jugular rendering its breathing shallow, unsteady. The rising and falling of its small breast slowed. Was the bird dying? No, please, not yet. 

Why was this feeling so familiar, so tangible?

Oh. Yes. The long drive, the green hills, the white church, the funeral. The Indo-Christian mass, the resounding amens, the flower arrangements. Me, crying silently, huddled in the corner. The Massey family huddled around the casket. Apologies. So many apologies. Finally, the body lowered to rest. The body. Sahil Elson Massey. Still familiar, still tangible.

Hugging Sahil, I was a ghost, a statue. My brain and my body competed. Emotion wrestled with fact. Sahil Elson Massey, aged 18, my friend of four years, had died in a car crash on Sep. 12, 2020. Sahil was dead, I thought. Dead.

But I could still save the bird. My frantic actions heightened my senses, mobilized my spirit. Cupping the bird, I ran outside, hoping the cool air outdoors would suture every wound, cause the bird to miraculously fly away. Yet there lay the bird in my hands, still gasping, still dying. Bird, human, human, bird. What was the difference? Both were the same. Mortal.

But couldn’t I do something? Hold the bird longer, de-claw the dog? I wanted to go to my bedroom, confine myself to tears, replay my memories, never come out. The bird’s warmth faded away. Its heartbeat slowed along with its breath. For a long time, I stared thoughtlessly at it, so still in my hands.

Slowly, I dug a small hole in the black earth. As it disappeared under handfuls of dirt, my own heart grew stronger, my own breath more steady. The wind, the sky, the dampness of the soil on my hands whispered to me, “The bird is dead. Sahil has passed. But you are alive.” My breath, my heartbeat, my sweat sighed back, “I am alive. I am alive. I am alive.”

How To Quickly Improve Your Mood

While we’re in the midst of life’s stresses, we sometimes just want to feel happy immediately. Not only do studies indicate that cheerful individuals have many advantages in life as a result of their happiness, but happiness also just feels good.

Every area of your life is affected by your mood and mental health, from how you feel about yourself to your relationships with others and your physical health.

Though it may appear like happiness is just around the corner with a better career, a healthier relationship or a nicer house, the euphoria that comes with those accomplishments might be ephemeral. Furthermore, you don’t need to make major changes to be joyful; you can experience happiness even with doing miniscule task

There are several strategies to keep your brain and emotions in peak condition. Exercise, good nutrition, and stress-reduction strategies such as meditation or mindfulness may maintain your brain — and your body — in peak condition.

How to Quickly Improve Your Mood

Listen To Music

Music is believed to have the capacity to affect one’s mood, making it a great stress reliever. In reality, music has been utilised therapeutically in hospitals for pain management and mental well-being. Music has also been related to happiness, particularly specific genres of music, according to research. Music, particularly music with a major tone, is associated with reduced stress and feelings of enjoyment.

Incorporate Laughter In Your Life

As it’s so true, the saying “Laughter is the best medicine” has become a cliche. We know that laughing has several benefits other than improving one’s mood. Laughter has been shown to boost immunity and extend life. Laughter can not only be helpful for elevating your mood but the mere anticipation of laughter has been shown to have advantages.

Change Your Mindset

Changing your expectations and comparisons is a quick and easy approach to improve your attitude. Rather than focusing on what you don’t have, consider all you do have. There will always be those that will have more than you in some aspect of life, but so many would have less than you. Enjoy the advantages of thankfulness and shift your perspective on what you have, and you will feel happier right away.

Do a Good Deed

Many people have found that helping others makes them happy. Indeed, studies suggest that individuals who volunteer have higher levels of health and pleasure. This is believed to be true for a number of reasons. The first is that generosity itself has several advantages, including an increased degree of emotional well-being. If you are doing something kind for someone else, your attention shifts away from yourself and your issues and onto others and making them happy. A smile that you put on somebody else’s face is an infectious smile that spreads contagious happiness.

Practice Meditation

Although meditation appears to be more of a stress management strategy than one that may increase happiness, it has been shown to be an efficient approach for both. Meditation’s stress-reduction effects are well-known, but research also suggests that regular meditation can lead to higher levels of happiness.

If your attempts to improve your mood aren’t helping or you’re having difficulty giving yourself a very much needed boost, consider seeking help from a  professional therapist. If your mood has been low for much more than two weeks or is affecting your relationships, job, or education, speaking with a therapist can help.

CONCEPT OF EMOTIONS

List of Emotions: 54 Ways to Say What You're Feeling

The word ‘emotion‘ is derived from a Latin word ‘emovere’ which means ‘to stirr up ‘ , ‘ to agitate ‘ or ‘excite ‘. Emotions play a very significant role in human life . These are related with internal needs of human beings . Emotions stimulate the mind and as a result emotions became intense . During the stage of emotion an individual appears to feel impatience which enhances physical and mental readiness . To understand the clear cut meaning of emotion , the following definitions may be beneficial :

  • According to Mc Dougall , ”Emotion is a moved or stirred up state of feeling in an individual, linked with some tendency. There are physiological changes associated with each emotion frequently of a muscular or glandular nature”.
  • According to Gates , ‘‘Emotions are episodes in which the individual is moved or excited”.
  • According to Woodworth, ”It is a moved or stirred up state of an organism. It is a disturbed muscular and glandular activity”.

In simple words , emotions is any strong agitation of the feelings actuated by experiencing love, hate, fear, etc., and usually accompanied by certain physiological changes, as increased heartbeat or respiration and often overt manifestation , as crying or shaking.

Indeed, emotions appear to influence action in various ways. The stronger the emotion, the greater the activity to which it will give rise. It is a well-known fact that emotions disturb our logical thinking . Whenever any emotion is aroused we usually lose our head; functioning of our vital organs changes due to simulation of our nervous system . Emotions change our face expression . Under the influence of emotions , sometimes we are not able to perform the activity naturally . During emotions impossible thing can be made possible. Sometimes under the influence of emotions simple things become complex and intricate.

As a matter of fact, various emotions play a very significant role in the field of games and sports such as fear, anger, pride, jealousy, anxiety, frustration, worry, hope, enthusiasm , vitality, confidence, joy, etc. The emotions of fear, anger, frustration, pride, etc., have a negative effect on the movement of muscles . In fact, such emotions should be under control for better performance in games and sports.

Reasons Emotions Are Important!

[Bhoomika Saini]

Emotions can play an important role in how you think and behave. The emotions you feel each day can compel you to take action and influence the decisions you make about your life, both large and small.

Emotions can be short-lived, such as a flash of annoyance at a co-worker, or long-lasting, such as enduring sadness over the loss of a relationship. But why exactly do we experience emotions? What role do they serve?

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

Emotions Can Motivate You to Act

Emotions motivate us
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When faced with a nerve-wracking exam, you might feel a lot of anxiety about whether you will perform well and how the test will impact your final grade. Because of these emotional responses, you might be more likely to study.

Since you experienced a particular emotion, you had the motivation to take action and do something positive to improve your chances of getting a good grade.

You also tend to take certain actions in order to experience positive emotions and minimize the probability of feeling negative emotions. For example, you might seek out social activities or hobbies that provide you with a sense of happiness, contentment, and excitement. On the other hand, you would probably avoid situations that might potentially lead to boredom, sadness, or anxiety.

Emotions increase the likelihood that you will take an action. When you are angry, you are likely to confront the source of your irritation. When you experience fear, you are more likely to flee the threat. When you feel love, you might seek out a partner.

Emotions Help You Avoid Danger

Emotions help us avoid danger
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Naturalist Charles Darwin was one of the earliest researchers to scientifically study emotions. He believed that emotions are adaptations that allow both humans and animals to survive and reproduce.

He suggested that emotional displays could also play an important role in safety and survival. If you encountered a hissing or spitting animal, it would clearly indicate that the creature was angry and defensive, leading to you back off and avoid possible danger.

Emotions can also prepare the body to take action. The amygdala, in particular, is responsible for triggering emotional responses that prepare your body to cope with things like fear and anger.

Sometimes this fear can trigger the body’s fight-or-flight response, which leads to a number of physiological responses that prepare the body to either stay and face the danger or flee to safety.

Emotions serve an adaptive role by motivating you to act quickly and take actions that will maximize your chances of survival and success.

Emotions Can Help You Make Decisions

Emotions help us make decisions
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Your emotions have a major influence on the decisions you make, from what you decide to have for breakfast to which candidates you choose to vote for in political elections.

Researchers have also found that people with certain types of brain damage affecting their ability to experience emotions also have a decreased ability to make good decisions.

Even in situations where you believe your decisions are guided purely by logic and rationality, emotions play a key role. Emotional intelligence, or your ability to understand and manage emotions, has been shown to play an important role in decision-making.

Research has found that experiencing fear increases perceptions of risk, feeling disgusted makes people more likely to discard their belongings, and feeling joy or anger causes people to leap into action.

Emotions Help Others Understand You Better

Emotions aid social interaction
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When you interact with other people, it is important to give clues to help them understand how you are feeling. These cues might involve emotional expression through body language, such as various facial expressions connected with the particular emotions you are experiencing.

In other cases, it might involve directly stating how you feel. When you tell friends or family members that you are feeling happy, sad, excited, or frightened, you are giving them important information that they can then use to take action.

Research suggests that people experience positive emotions 2.5 times more frequently than they do negative emotions.

Emotions Allow You to Understand Others

Emotions allow us to understand others
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Just as your own emotions provide valuable information to others, the emotional expressions of those around you also give a wealth of social information. Social communication is an important part of your daily life and relationships, and being able to interpret and react to the emotions of others is essential.

It allows you to respond appropriately and build deeper, more meaningful relationships with your friends, family, and loved ones. It also allows you to communicate effectively in a variety of social situations, from dealing with an irate customer to managing a hot-headed employee.

Understanding the emotional displays of others gives us clear information about how we might need to respond in a particular situation.

Which part of the brain processes emotions?

The emotional processing network is the group of brain regions and structures responsible for processing emotions. Parts of the brain involved in this process include the amygdala, the hippocampus, the prefrontal cortex, and the cingulate cortex.5

Why are emotions an important part of decision-making?

Emotions can help a decision-maker determine which aspects of a decision are the most relevant to their specific situation. They may also help people make faster decisions.3

What is the appraisal theory of emotion?

This theory suggests that emotions step from the cognitive evaluations that people make about specific events. In other words, it implies that people must think about a situation before having an emotional response.

Anger

Anger is one of the basic human emotions, as elemental as happiness, sadness, anxiety or disgust. These emotions are tied to basic survival and were honed over the course of human history. Anger is related to the “fight, flight, or freeze” response of the sympathetic nervous system, it prepares humans to fight. But fighting doesn’t necessarily mean throwing punches. It might motivate communities to combat injustice by changing laws or enforcing new norms.

Of course, anger too easily or frequently mobilized can undermine relationships or damage physical health in the long term. Prolonged release of the stress hormones that accompany anger can destroy neurons in areas of the brain associated with judgment and short term memory and weaken the immune system. For those who struggle with chronic anger, or for those who only experience occasional outbursts, learning skills to identify and navigate this powerful emotion can lead to growth and change.

What causes anger?

The question of why some shrug off annoyances while others explode in rage is a fascinating one. One model of anger, put forth by psychologist Jerry Deffenbacher, posits that anger results from a combination of the trigger event, the qualities of the individual, and the individual’s appraisal of the situation.

The trigger is the event that provokes anger, such as being cut off in traffic or yelled at by a parent. The qualities of the individual include personality traits, such as narcissism, competitiveness, and low tolerance for frustration, and the pre-anger state, like levels of anxiety or exhaustion. Perhaps most importantly is cognitive appraisal—appraising a situation as blameworthy, unjustified, punishable, etc. The combination of these components determines why and if people get mad.

How can I manage my anger?

If you are often carried away by anger, it can be helpful to understand the patterns that trigger you. It’s possible to intervene at different points along the way to deal with anger effectively.

1. Sleep: Sleep deprivation makes it harder to control angry impulses, so regular, healthy sleep can prevent you from being provoked.

2. Consider alternative interpretations: And ask yourself what evidence you have to support your angering interpretation. Consider different perspectives.

3. Take deep breaths: Take long, slow, deep breaths, using the diaphragm rather than the chest.

4. Avoid the “catharsis myth”: Venting anger, acting with aggression, and viewing aggressive content does not tend to release anger effectively.

5. Know that it’s ok to get mad: If you have been wronged, treated unfairly, or provoked, you should get angry, but express it assertively instead of aggressively.

How can I manage anger that’s warranted?

In cases of warranted anger, such as a coworker who never contributes to collaborative projects, you may want to use a different set of anger management tips. In those situations:

1. Distance yourself from the angering situation. This will help you stop ruminating and develop a clear path forward.

2. Dedicate time to thinking about how to solve the root problem so it doesn’t occur again.

3. Express your anger assertively, with a solutions-oriented approach, rather than aggressively.

Toxic Positivity in an age of Nowhere

Positivity is a fad all around the place. Instagram, Twitter, the daily newsletters and what not – all have only one single message to convey – stay positive. Is that a bad message now? Bad enough to have an article against it? Well, no. And well, yes.

Positivity is important. Being hopeful is important. They are important to have the strength to move on. They are important to have the strength to carry forth with what lies at hand. If a person loses hope, then there is seldom a lot that can be done. This idea is quite agreed upon by psychologists as well as general health experts. But then what does the topic of this article convey? Positivity is something that drives a person forward. Then there is a situation where positivity becomes the only emotion a person knows. And most of the human race would agree that they are pushed into this state. If any other emotion – sad, angry, aghast or tired – tries to come, the person is told to let go of it and stay positive, to try to be happy about what lies with him or her or them. This is toxic, say many psychologists. The person is forced to accept positivity even when he/she/they are trying to cry, trying to be angry or trying to express any other emotion.

Expression is very important for mental health. There is no tool as strong as expression for the human mind. That expression can be verbal, through music, art, dance or in any other physical or art form – as long as it does no harm to another being, that expression is good and, important.

Toxic positivity can lead to the locking of emotions, mental degeneracy or probably depression, anxiety and a host of other issues. Psychologists argue that no emotion is ever fully suppressed. Suppressing of emotions locks those emotions deep in the brain, only to come out stronger and probably more harmful in situations of trauma or a sudden exposure to a stimulating environment.

In the present, all of us are struck in a nowhere – a world of our own in our houses or offices or work spaces with limited human contact. This has statistically led to an increase in cases of extreme isolation, anxiety and depression and a host of other mental health problems. This is certainly not a time to be positive all the time. And certainly not a time to try to do something positive. The important thing is to strike the balance. Give all your emotions a moment. And yet, try to do something positive each day. It is alright if you cannot. The contentment is to understand that you tried.

How To Avoid Toxic Positivity And Use Positive Thinking Healthily
Stay positive and away from becoming toxic positive. (image courtesy : Women’s health magazine)

What are type of emotions?

Till today, I myself was confused as to what is a motivational subsystem and what is an emotional subsystem and if my blog posts conflated the two and created confusions, I apologize. I have now come to believe that emotions are the reading by our mind of how our body is doing. This needs some unpacking.

The somatic marker theory of Damasio, and others, is inline with this formulation that there are brain areas that keep track of how the body is doing and if the body is say geared to flee a predator- then a corresponding feeling of fear may be felt by the mind. Feelings are conscious emotions and the subject of this post. The eight basic emotions to recap are Interest, Fear, Lust/ Wonder, Disgust, Love, Anger , Joy and Sadness. The emotions may even be conceptualizes as indicators of bodily needs: eg. Disgust signifying the need of the body to close off / get away from source of disgust.

Motivations, or the basic fundamental drives, on the other hand are drives that help us cope with problems in living: These are to SURVIVE , REPRODUCE, TAKE-CARE-OF-YOUNG-ONES and to THRIVE. All the steps are essential to pass on our genes to the next generation- if say we don’t take care of our young ones then our genes do not live on. So evolution has built in these four basic drives in us. These drives are action-focused: they are intentional and *about* the world; they are mechanisms via which we get our needs met. They are primed action tendencies that tilt us to act one way or the other, out in the world.

Most of us when we think about motivation think of Maslow’s needs. They are conceptualizes at a higher level- the level I am taking about is the most fundamental, the most basic. Panksepp has talked about that level, but he wrongly called such neuroscientist as affective subsystems, while they should be called drives/ motivational systems to reduce confusion.

Lets unpack this a bit. SURVIVE system in an ideal world should be about finding food and nutrition to grow and maintain ones’ bodily composition. Of course we don’t live in an ideal world, so predators loom large and survival also becomes about avoiding them. However the underlying drive/ need is the same to preserve, maintain and grow ones body. Some people have focused on maintaining bodily integrity or avoiding dangers/ predators as having primary significance and thus focused more on FEAR ; I however think that’s mistake. The drive is primarily about finding nutrients for self and because in the search for food, you are likely to come across predators, secondarily about avoiding them once you encounter them.

Thus the primary neurocircuit for SURVIVAL is the SEEKING system: it is primary in the sense that it is the default program of the self when it comes to survival. It primarily enabled foraging behavior, but since then has been coopted for finding knowledge (learning) etc too and is marked by curiosity, exploration, learning, pattern finding, meaning making etc.

While searching for food (either hunting or gathering) you are likely to come in contact with a predator; at that time only the FEAR/predator avoidance system kicks in and focuses actions and body for that specific task. At least that is the purpose for which this system evolved.

The primary neurocircuit for REPRODUCTION is LUST/Seducing system. When one is in the grip of this circuit/drive one flirts, seduces, and tries to mate with conspecific.

While trying to copulate with as many con-specifics as possible, a danger of getting infected with STD looms large. My hunch is that DISGUST evolved as a means to avoid STD’s/ be picky and selective while choosing.

The primary neurocircuit for TAKE-CARE-OF-LOVED-ONES is CARE. It evolved so that parents can take care of their children, but sine then has been coopted for taking care of all vulnerable entities.

The secondary neurocircuit comes into play because of cuckolding. While one wants to take care of ones genuine offsprings, one doesn’t want to be cuckolded and displays aggression towards the weakling which in not of self. This is the RAGE circuit.

The primary neurociruit for THRIVING is PLAY. It evolved so that we can form social bonds/ rise up the hierarchy by building coalitions and alliances.

While playing and rising up the social ladder, there is a risk of aggression by the alpha male or the risk of losing existing ties and suffering losses. This manifests as the PANIC/ separation distress system.

How do the (eight basic) emotions and the (eight basic) motivations interact? It might be tempting to assume that each motivational circuit is associated with one emotion/ feeling; however that would be a mistake. We first need to understand that emotions come in pairs (interest-fear, wonder-disgust, love-anger and joy-sadness) ; we also need to appreciate that the motivational circuits form opponent processes such that if FEAR is activated, SEEKING is suppressed etc. with that background lets forge ahead.

Feelings modulate motivations/drives. They either initiate and sustain the corresponding motivational circuit or suppress and stop it. Thus they are either inhibitory or excitatory in their effect.

Take SEEKING. If your body is feeling interest (is in a state of interest) it is more likely to explore or activate the SEEKING system. On the other hand if the body is feeling fear, it will suppress the SEEKING system. And how does the body gets into a state of interest/ fear? In the most general case its by cognitive appraisal of outside events/ stimulus. Lets take novelty, say a rat placed in a novel environment. The rat can either see that novel environment as interesting and thus get curious and explore; or it can see the novelty as frightening, get fearful and stop exploring. Thus the cognitive appraisal we make induce emotions that either inhibit or excite the motivational circuits.

Lest take another example: Take PLAY. Feelings of joy will increase likelihood of playing; while being in a sad mood will decrease playful behavior. Or take PANIC: feelings of sadness will tilt the probability of panicking , while being in a joyful mood will buffer against panic.

Or take CARE . Appraising a vulnerable dependent/weakling as in group leads to feelings of love and compassion leading to activation of CARE; appraising the same person as outgroup leads to feelings of anger over why I need to support him/her and lead to suppression of CARE.

Or take LUST. Thinking someone as attractive leads to feelings of wonder about what the person is like and activate flirting/seducing behavior aka LUST. However, thinking of the person as unattractive/ugly leads to feelings of disgust and deactivation of LUST system.

I think by now, it should be clear how the emotions and motivations are connected. In the next post I will be extending this emotions/ motivations linkage forward to personality traits and psychological disorders.

See yaa..

How should I control my emotions in bad scenario?

By changing your perspective

Explenation:

Firstly, I want to say that there is bad things in life like jumping off a building that threatens your life directly , but people use the tag “bad” for many other things that are in essence just experiences (Ex:failing a test, people laughing at you, failing at starting a business, ) . When you think as something being bad your mind comes with a set of reactions that are for things that are bad , even though the thing itself is just a thing , that is neither good or bad . But if you change your perspective and see things as just experiences , then you can use almost anything that happens in your life as a lesson that you can learn from. I think this is easy to think about it , and easy to talk about it , but is harder in practice so I will offer you a practical exercise.

Exercise:

You want to change your perspective on things , but you can’t do it in just a day , so whenever you encounter something you perceive as bad , and your emotions start running wild , your thoughts start circling around how bad this thing is , ask this questions:

-What is this thing?

Answer.

-What I can learn from it ?

Answer.

-How is this going to help me in the future , or now ?

Answer.

*You can continue , you can use different questions , but the what is fundamental is to focus on what can you learn from this thing that was first perceived as bad , and not focusing on how bad is .

*You will see as you do this again and again , after a period of time , this will happen automatically , and the first instinct that will come to you when you have an experience that now you see as bad , will be to see the experience as a lesson for you to learn.

Conclusion and a bonus

Life is a long road that is filled with experiences , it will be just a waste to lose your time by creating some form of standard for good experiences and enjoying just that . To finish I want to present you just a bit of something called : COSMIC PERSPECTIVE. What is this thing ? Well, imagine for how long the universe existed before you started to live and for how long will be still existing after you died , at this scale you are basically nothing. The universe will blink and you will disappear . You are just a dot , on a “pale blue dot” , so instead of enjoying your life while it lasts , and building something that has value to you, you will lose yourself in fruitless thoughts and emotions ?

Well, I’m not being a pro in it because every one has there own experience and ways to tackle, but, this can be the most simplest way for tackling anything. See there is always a trick of doing anything which make the things much easier. So, this is the trick.

See yaa..