Research suggests that there are four primary emotions: Gladness, Anger, Sadness, and Fear. While we naturally enjoy feeling glad, societal influences may lead us to dislike experiencing anger, sadness, and fear.
From a scientific perspective, emotions are essentially energy patterns and the body's way of communicating. To understand our body's language, we must comprehend the language of our emotions.
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Happiness indicates that things are aligning with our preferences and calls for gratitude.
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Sadness signals that there are circumstances beyond our control, prompting us to practice acceptance and let go of attachments.
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Anger informs us that something calls for modification and encourages us to take action.
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Fear indicates an unfamiliar situation, urging us to step out of our comfort zone, remain in the learning and growth zone, and avoid entering the panic zone.
Some scientists include shame as a basic emotion, which encourages self-reflection on our actions.
However, it's important to note that hurt is not considered an emotion; rather, it's a form of psychic pain associated with disconnection from others and loneliness. It's the emotional pain of the heart, processed in the brain's pain-processing center.
When feeling uncomfortable, it can be beneficial to pause and explore what your body is trying to communicate. Identify the specific emotion your body is expressing and discern its message. Place your hand on your heart, take several deep breaths with a longer exhale than inhale, and then ask your heart for guidance on how to respond.