Why Do I Feel This Way?
February 22, 2023Oh emotions, those incredible representations of ourselves, sometimes we can go down with them, and sometimes we get up, but no matter where we go, we can't escape of what we feel. And, wait a minute... the sky seems too amazing right now😱😱😱, what's happening inside of me that produce this sensation? Does it have a name?...
Each of our emotions has its own nuance, its own tone, which makes them stand out from the others, at a certain moment, therefore when they invade your being it is an extraordinary and particular process, they can even make us act impulsively. Now, I wonder: What happens inside us when we let ourselves be invaded by one of these reactions? Is it so terrible to act according to what you feel?
Emotions directly impact brain activity, specifically in the limbic system, which is a neural network in charge of processing emotions, which is complemented by other parts of the brain such as the hypothalamus and the hippocampus. The hypothalamus is in charge of releasing all the hormones necessary to feel emotions, in this way you know what it feels like to be sad, happy, angry, afraid, etc. While the hippocampus controls the mental processes related to memory, and with the memories of situations that generate particular emotion in us, in this way we can remember and memorize the most transcendental experiences of our existence, those that will later influence our way of acting.
In the same way, the amygdala is also part of this process and of the limbic system, since it is linked to the emotional response that the experienced situations arouse. The amygdala is the main control nucleus of emotions and feelings in the brain, also controlling the responses of satisfaction or fear. It is a complex structure, being an almond-shaped structure located in the limbic system of the brain.
On the other hand, the orbitofrontal cortex, which sends emotional orders to the frontal lobe, is in charge of planning our actions once we receive an emotional impulse. However, this is not his most important role, but he also assumes the responsibility of stopping the irrational impulses that human beings sometimes regret.
So let me tell you I've been doing some research about this subject, and I found something really interesting, and it's that Psychologist Robert Plutchik developed one of the most popular emotion wheels, known as the Plutchik wheel.
He suggested that people experience eight core emotions, which he arranged in opposite pairs on the wheel:
- Sadness and Joy
- Anger and Fear
- Expectation and Surprise
- Acceptance and Disgust
According to his theory, these basic emotions can intensify, become milder, or even combine to produce any emotional state. This is just one of multiple theories that exist on the subject of emotions, however it seemed important to explain this one, since it briefly highlights what seems to me to be the most essential on the subject.
Isn't it extraordinary? Realizing how much happens inside us just by constantly feeling the taste of emotions in your life, after all, what would life be without feeling emotions? An empty life without nuances.
And then, is it bad to act according to your emotions? I will answer that thanks to my experience, and it is that most of my life I've made important decisions guided by what my emotions say, while behind all that there is a genuinely personal reason, whether it is moving to another place just because you are Sad, not seeing a person again because you feel fear in your veins, or a very clear example, when you get angry and you are arguing with someone else, suddenly you can say something unintentional, but always ends up hurting the other person, highlighting that emotions have a voice in each of us.
For example, I don't watch horror movies, because I know I'll be very terrified, and that emotion allows me to identify and create who I am, because emotions are part of everyone's life, they are that essential part of every day that can get to inspire, and at the same time create great memories of the adventures from our whole incredible existence.
If you are someone who has tried to control their emotions, I would recommend that you not do it, and I would just let the emotions enter me, and express them, there are multiple ways to express emotions, some of my favorites are music and theater. However, it depends on each case. I would recommend you keep a dairy or maybe tell your situation to a truly close friend, or even better, take psychological therapy to clarify that part of you.
And don't forget, it's a human thing to be emotional in this life.
Thank you for getting this far, and remember, if you have any additional comments...
I'm all ears.😊👂🏻
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