- [Amanda] Hey, Psych2Goers.
Welcome back to our channel.
Thank you all so much
for the love that you've given us.
Your ongoing support has helped us
make psychology and mental health
more accessible to every.
So, thank you.
Now, let's continue.
As human beings,
we are all hardwired to feel things
and react on an emotional level
to the things going on around us.
From the moment we're born,
we cry when we're sad or hungry or in need.
We feel angry towards the people who hurt us.
We're afraid of the things that might be dangerous.
And we feel happy when we're given
love, kindness and affection.
These emotions come so naturally to us
and it's natural for us to express them.
But somewhere along the way,
it all gets complicated.
When you start getting confused
about what we were feeling
and why we were feeling it.
There were some emotions that we didn't quite
know how to deal with,
so we ended up repressing, denying
or hiding our true feelings.
Understanding our emotions
not only helps us better understand ourselves,
but also helps us build a deeper
and more meaningful life.
So, with that said,
here are seven of the most important things
you need to know about your emotions.
Number one, you are not your emotions.
Emotions are important,
but they don't define who we are.
They're electrochemical signals
flowing from your brain to your body
as a reaction to your day-to-day experiences.
Your emotions are simply there
to regulate your thoughts and behaviors
based on these experiences,
and provide you data about the world around you.
They don't inform your character
or impact who you are,
unless you want them to.
And to think otherwise robs you
of your identity as a person
outside of your emotions.
You can allow yourself the freedom
to get angry without thinking
it makes you an angry person
or to feel happy without pressuring yourself
to act like a happy person all the time.
Two, emotions come and go.
One of main reasons why we say
there's so much more to a person
than just their emotions
is because our emotions frequently come and go.
And something is fundamental to us as our identity,
shouldn't be defined by something as fickle
and ever changing as how we feel.
Even the most intense emotions
and physical reactions
like crying, shaking, and screaming
rise, peak and fall within a matter of minutes.
Number three, emotions don't always need a specific reason.
Have you ever felt a certain way,
but didn't know why
or had to grapple with an emotion
that hits you out of nowhere?
While it can be confusing
and difficult to make sense of our emotions
when we don't know what the reason behind them is,
sometimes you just need
to let yourself feel
whatever it is that you're feeling
and try not to get so caught up
in figuring out why you're feeling it.
There could be a dozen different reasons
why you're feeling something,
but it's okay to feel it.
Whether you're feeling sad, upset, happy, or scared.
Be honest about how you feel
and accept it without judgment.
All of your feelings are valid.
Number four, emotions don't always need a reaction.
Whether it's anger, jealousy,
sadness or discontentment,
there's nothing wrong with feeling a certain way.
You don't have to feel guilty
or ashamed about your emotions
as long as you also understand
that not every emotion
deserves to be acted upon.
When you wind up losing control
and let your emotions get the better of you,
you can say hurtful things
or do something you'll later come to regret.
Number five, there are no negative emotions.
While most of us believe
that feelings can be either good or bad,
psychologists actually argue
that all feelings are neutral.
There's no such thing as
a positive or negative emotion
because emotions aren't inherently anything.
They're only what we make of them.
And though it can sometimes
feel painful or overwhelming
to feel things so strongly and deeply,
allowing yourself to experience your true emotions
can teach you a great deal
about yourself and who you really are.
This is because, six, all emotions serve a purpose.
You experience a wide spectrum
of different multifaceted emotions.
Your feelings are a natural part of life
and they serve to let you know
how you're affected by what goes on
both within your life and within yourself.
Every emotion serves a purpose
to point you in the right direction,
and to help make sense of what you're going through.
For example, envy and discontentment
can signal that there's a need
you're not satisfying for yourself
and could be missing from your life.
Anger lets you know
that your boundaries have been crossed.
Anxiety and fear keep you safe from potential danger.
Happiness teaches you to seek out
the people and places that make you feel loved.
Feelings of sadness are a way for you
to process the loss of something
that was once important to you.
Seven, emotions are contagious.
Last, but not least,
something you need to know about your emotions
is that they can be very contagious.
Several scientific studies have found
that when you're in a group of people,
you subconsciously mimic
the emotions of those around you
as an expression of your innate desire to belong.
With that in mind,
it's no wonder why having toxic people in your life
can bring you down and emotionally drain you.
This is why it's important
to surround yourself with people who lift you up,
that you enjoy spending time with,
and whom you truly feel connected to.
Did you learn something new
about yourself and your emotions?
Please like and share this video if it helped you,
and you think it could help someone else too.
Studies and references used
are listed in the description below.
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Thanks for watching
and we'll see you next time.