THE ROLE OF EMOTIONS

Colouring agents that bring our basic existence to life

BY Archana Law

Mark Twain once proclaimed: “Truth is stranger than fiction – but it is because fiction is obliged to stick to probability; truth is not!’

True, we are an emotional species. If the sum total of all our experiences makes up the tapestry of our life, our emotions give it colour. Imagine a world without emotions – no joy, feelings of happiness and so on. To live on such a planet would be to merely exist, reduced to a mechanical ritual from cradle to grave.

What if you were told that we all have emotions trapped inside like an invisible epidemic – those you would rather not have felt such as anxiety, grief, anger and the like?

As you live your life, you are continually experiencing emotions of one sort or another. Life can be difficult and feel overwhelming. Though we may want to, the influence of unpleasant events stay with us in the form of trapped emotions. So instead of moving beyond your angry moment, or temporary bout with grief or depression, this (negative) emotional energy can remain within your body, potentially causing significant physical and emotional stress.

Most people are amazed to find out that their emotional baggage is more literal than they had imagined. It’s like your future is held hostage as you struggle under the weight of something that you can’t quite put your finger on. Perhaps life is not turning out how you had hoped, lasting relationships never happen or you may wish that certain events in your past had never occurred; and you feel powerless to move on.

In popular imagination, emotion and rationality are often mutually exclusive. One is erratic, unpredictable and often a liability, while the other is cool, collected and without obvious feeling. And even though research suggests that people experience emotions internally in similar ways no matter their gender, nationality or background, many still regard the display of emotion as being soft and weak.

Dismissing the value of emotion is at odds with how human feelings actually work. As a society, “we believe emotional strength is not about how you manage your emotions but about not having any,” says psychologist Guy Winch. Human emotions are, in reality, an integral part of competent decision making.

Psychotherapist and columnist Lori Gottlieb opines: “Emotions are like GPS. They help to guide us.” They give us important information about our world, telling us what’s important to us or when we are under threat, and the body responds to the way we think, feel and act. If we are feeling sad, something’s not working. Feeling angry can help alert us to the fact that we’ve been wronged.

Modern research establishes that some emotions make us feel good, positive and upbeat, and enhances our mental and physical wellbeing. Others, particularly those that stay trapped and aren’t allowed any expression may deplete the energy of living, and increase unhealthy coping mechanisms, chronic disease or autoimmune manifestations. For example, extreme stress, anxiety or emotional trauma is linked to high blood pressure and stomach ulcers.

Whether they’re positive or negative, ambivalent or even valid, every emotion we have is telling us something. Those that affect us adversely interfere with our bodies’ organs and tissues, wreak havoc with our physical health, cause pain, fatigue and illness, and are labelled negative.

To feel more in control over our destiny amidst the many daunting challenges, consider some proven ways to bring positive emotions into our lives.

RELAXING Meditation, yoga, muscle relaxation exercises, outdoor activities and being amidst nature are relaxing. The primary positive emotion associated with relaxation is contentment, which reverses negative emotions and builds resilience.

POSITIVITY Find positive meaning by reframing stressful events in a positive light, infusing ordinary events with positive perspectives and focussing on gratitude. By being constantly mindful, those who find a lot of positive meaning in their lives will experience more of the whole range of positive emotions.

SMILING Our brains don’t know the difference between a real smile and fake one. So when you fake a smile, your brain responds by releasing the same ‘happy chemicals’ that it would if your smile had been genuine. So even faking positive emotions can have a real, positive impact.

ACTIVITIES What are some of your favourite activities that relax you, make you feel good and let you forget about the world for a while? Everyone’s favourites will be different and unique. Make sure you know what your favourites are and see that they are always close at hand.

Remember it is not a person or situation that affects your life; it is the meaning you give to that person or situation that influences your emotions and actions!