Feelings

This resource explores the reality of emotions or feelings.

Preview Points

• Feelings are influenced by a person’s thoughts and perceptions.
• Feelings are affected by stress, nutrition, health, and a variety of life factors.
• Feelings affect people’s whole bodies. Feelings may affect people’s energy levels.
• People experience a range of feelings.

Contents

Self-acceptance involves the necessity of accepting one’s emotions. Expressing feelings is an important part of a healthy life. Even “uncomfortable” emotions like anger or frustration need to be expressed.

Expressing feelings involves self-awareness of individual feelings. The expression of these emotions may be done by writing them out or expressing them to safe friends and acquaintances. There are ways to discharge anger

Once people know how they feel about something, it also helps to know why. Underlying causes or difficulties in a situation may be reflected on, so if changes need to be made to that situation, they are.

Being aware of feelings and thoughts is a critical step in making these known to others and to make changes in the world. Bourne writes: “Becoming assertive involves self-awareness and knowing what you want. Behind this knowledge is the belief that you have the right to ask for what you want. When you are assertive, you are conscious of your basic rights as a human being. You give yourself and your particular needs the same respect and dignity you’d give anyone else’s” (2000, p. 277).

Concluding Points

• Feelings come from various aspects of life, and they are valid. Feelings should not be suppressed or left unacknowledged.
• There are many types of feelings. It’s beneficial to articulate feelings to trusted friends, family or acquaintances.
• Knowing feelings helps people to assert their ideas and needs in the world.

References

Bourne, E.J. (2000). The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook. 3rd Ed. Oakland: New Harbinger Publications. 277.