Most experts agree that emotions are a complex series of changes throughout the body. They involve the brain and nervous system, heart and blood flow, lungs and airflow, abdominal organs, muscles, and hormones. Their purpose? Prepare us for action.
The likelihood that we will act due to an emotion is called an ‘action tendency.’ A tendency means we have the inclination to do something; but it does not mean we have to do it. The more skilful you are in unhooking from your emotions, the more choice you have. This enables us to behave more productively by choosing ‘toward moves.’
Flight or fight response
The fight-or-flight response is a primitive survival reflex to run away or to stand your ground and defend yourself. Unfortunately, our fight-or-flight response often fires up in situations where it is more of a hindrance than a help. Besides, even our own thoughts, memories, images, emotions, and sensations can trigger it.
Freeze response
When a threat is so extreme that our brain perceives fight or flight as futile, the vagus nerve ‘cuts off’ feelings in the body. In doing so, it tries to spare you from terror and physical pain. The body immobilises, heart and breathing slow down, blood pressure drops, and nonessential activities (e.g. digestion) stop.
Numbness is the most common side effect of the freeze response. However, it can also foster states such as apathy, despair, or hopelessness.
The elements of an emotion
Any emotion we experience is always comprised of:
- sensations, feelings in your body;
- cognitions, metal activity sparked by the experience; and
- urges, inclinations to engage in a particular behaviour.
The purpose of an emotion
Our emotions serve three main purposes:
- Effective communication. Fear communicates there is ganger, love that you appreciate someone, guilt that you have done something wrong, anger that something is unfair…
- Motivation. Preparing us to move our body in particular ways and to act in ways that are likely to be helpful.
- Illumination what is important to us. Shining a light on our needs and wants; reminding us of what we care about.
