Emotions

Emotions are human reactions to events or situations, and being aware of our internal emotional state helps manage stress better. Paul Ekman proposed six universal emotions in 1972: fear, disgust, anger, surprise, joy, and sadness. Emotions are reactions to stimuli, while feelings are the result of emotions. Emotions are integral to life, but many people find them mysterious, confusing, and difficult to express constructively. Cultural backgrounds, family values, and other factors can influence how we express emotions. Learning ways to express emotions aligned with cultural values while still attending to our needs and feelings can be beneficial for ourselves and our relationships with others.