Discover the beauty of Core Emotions
1. Myths about Emotions
Emotions are undoubtedly a large part of our everyday life, but they are often misunderstood. There are many myths about emotions, and challenging them can help you develop a healthier relationship with your emotions. Here are some common myths about emotions:
Not true. Being sad does not mean you are a weak or incapable adult. In contrast, it signals maturity in being mindful of your feelings and tuning into what you may really need to do for the situation that has made it sad for you.
Not true. You may be able to rationalize your feelings, but your emotions will always have an influence on you. Understanding the role your emotions play can help you make better decisions.
Not true. Opening up to others is not a sign of weakness, as it actually takes a lot of strength and vulnerability. Thoughts such as these could signal past negative experiences impacting you in the here and now, with people around you.
Not true. Emotions play a major part in our lives. They motivate us, help make decisions, protect us from danger, and enrich our experiences. Without them, life would be a lot more dull, painful and boring.
2. Break the Myths: What are the Core Emotions?
According to psychologist Paul Eckman, there are 6 core emotions, which are basic emotions experienced by everybody. Core Emotions include Happiness, Sadness, Anger, Fear, Disgust and Surprise. These core emotions have a larger impact on your behaviour or bodily responses than other emotions. They also are more instinctive, arising first in response to something before your logical thinking kicks in. These 6 core emotions also act as building blocks that can be combined to make more complex emotions, such as love and jealousy. By understanding the 6 core emotions and how they influence you, you can break the myths and gain control over your emotions as vital information sources to inform us of what’s happening within us and around us.
3. Learn to be mindful of your feelings / emotions.
Pay attention to your feelings, and notice what emotions pop up in certain situations. Try to observe these emotions you are having without taking action. Accept these emotions, as natural responses to the situation, but know that these emotions do not define you. Being mindful of your feelings can help you better regulate your emotions, and improve your overall well being.
When to Seek Help
Self-regulating your emotions is a helpful skill to learn, but there are times when professional help is necessary. If you find that certain emotions are intense, overwhelming and constant, it may be an indicator that more serious issues such as trauma, chronic anxiety, depression, or mood disorders may be at play. Psychotherapy can help you deal with these emotions in ways that go beyond simple self-regulation techniques. It is important to recognize when you need help, and to understand that seeking support is not a sign of failure, but shows your commitment to self improvement.
At Grace Health Centre, our team of therapists and physicians offer psychotherapy services that are free with OHIP or covered by insurance. If you are interested in booking a free initial consultation with us, you can get started here.
5. Psychoeducational Course Is Affordable and Builds Community
Learning to be mindful of your emotions can be hard, but it can ultimately result in many positive changes in your mental well-being, relationships with others, day-to-day interactions, and more.
At Grace Health Centre, we offer the psychoeducational course “Tame Your Emotional Rollercoaster” which teaches Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) skills to help build your mindfulness skills. For more information, you can visit our page.
You are not alone in this and being a part of a learning group community setting can be life-changing.
For more information, you can visit our page.