Everyone, at some point in their life, experiences emotions, feelings, and mood swings for several reasons. Still, only a handful of people know these three terms have different meanings. If you, too, until now, have been using feelings, emotions, and moods interchangeably, it is time you know the difference and their different types. This post will explain emotions, moods, feelings, types, and their differences.
The answer to what is the difference between emotions, moods, and feelings in short is time. Emotions are short-lived, followed by feelings that develop moods that can stay for a week or longer.
Humans due to different factors both internal and external experience different feelings, emotions, and moods. Sometimes our perception or a past memory might make us feel sad even though the moment is happy. On the other hand, we might feel joyful by remembering a funny incident. Hence, to understand them what one has to do is, acknowledge and understand how moods, feelings, and emotions are interdependent.
Moods are Complex
Moods are emotional states that are always present and add color to our monotonous life. They make us see things differently and form our day-to-day experiences. They often stay longer and impact our thoughts, behaviors, and perceptions.
Classified as good and bad, moods are expressed by individuals differently. Each one looks and experiences them variedly and with a unique emotional flavor.
Good is when we feel happy, joyous, and bad is when sadness and anger surround us.
Unfolding the Complexity of Feelings
Unlike moods, feelings are raw and instant responses to stimuli, events, or thoughts. You feel them in the present situation, and they offer insight into the current inner state. Feelings can be categorized into primary emotions such as happiness, sadness, anger, fear, surprise, disgust, and love. However, remember they aren’t restricted to these primary emotions. Feelings can be simple, complex, or fleeting, enclosing different shades of emotions that add depth and texture to experiences.
Emotions: The Dance of the Soul
Emotions are powerful and multifaceted experiences that arise in response to specific events, situations, or thoughts. They involve physiological changes, subjective feelings, and behavioral expressions. Emotions encompass a broad spectrum, including joy, grief, excitement, jealousy, guilt, awe, shame, pride, and more. Each emotion's unique signature triggers a cascade of physical and psychological responses that shape our perception, cognition, and actions.
The Impact of Culture on Mood, Feelings, and Emotions
Our culture and society strongly impact our emotions, feelings, and moods. Some cultures emphasize values over emotions, while others might do the opposite, influencing the individual and making the person look at emotions, feelings, and moods differently. In addition, how emotions arise and how they are perceived also influence their manifestation and interpretation. Hence, understanding the cultural and contextual factors is essential when we talk about emotion and mood, types of moods, and emotion VS mood.
Emotions Are Always Flowing
Emotions, moods, and feelings are not permanent. They keep changing depending on the situation. Emotions, feelings, and mood change as internal and external factors vary. Emotions develop and unfold over time, influenced by personal growth, life events, and the environment. Hence, to understand emotions, we need first to acknowledge that emotions are not permanent, they keep changing, and we need to learn to adapt them through emotional intelligence.
Types of Moods
Moods are of two types good and bad. To understand them better here is a detailed description of some of the moods.
Happiness: No definition is required to explain happiness. However, since we are talking of it as a type of mood, it is a positive and joyful mood. Here the person feels satisfied, content, and pleased.
Excitement: This is a good mood filled with anticipation, enthusiasm, or exhilaration.
Calmness: A mood that gives peace, relaxation, and tranquility is calmness. Generally, when practicing meditation, this mood is experienced.
Enthusiasm: When passion, motivation, and eagerness are all you experience and feel, your mood is enthusiasm.
Sadness: Unlike happiness, sadness is a bad mood where the individual is unhappy and feels sorrow or grief.
Anger: An other bad and often harmful mood followed by rage, frustration, or irritation is anger.
Anxiety: A negative mood that makes a person apprehensive, uneasy, worried, and stressed is anxiety. When it stays for a longer period, individual struggles with anxiety disorder.
Frustration: When expectations are not met, feeling annoyed or dissatisfied and having a frustrating mood is obvious.
Boredom: A dull mood often, and the outcome of lack of interest or result is boredom.
Types of Emotions
Emotions are broadly classified into 6 major categories. However, later on, they were subdivided into different categories. To understand them better, you can look at the Wheel of Emotions.
Sadness: It is a negative mood and emotion that results from feeling hopeless, sorrowful, disappointed, despair, or grief.
Anger: When there is a heightened emotional state of frustration, irritation, rage, hostility, and emotional outbursts this strong and intense emotion is felt. Sometimes it helps, but when out of control causes a lot of harm.
Fear: This emotion is triggered during the flight or fight situation. When a danger is perceived by the brain different chemicals are released that make the person feel anxious, panic, and often freeze the person. It is an important emotion as it helps us survive.
Surprise: Generally, felt for a short span, this emotion is an outcome of unexpected or startling events. It can be both positive or negative leaving a person astonished or confused.
Disgust: An emotion triggered due to the feeling of repulsion or being defensive.
Besides these 6 basic emotions, there are other emotions too like love, guilt, shame, joy interest, and others. Some of these are both positive and negative while others depending on the situation vary.
Types of Feelings
Happiness: A positive and vibrant feeling that results from experiencing joy, contentment, or satisfaction.
Sadness: A bad feeling which makes one unhappy and gloomy.
Excitement: A great feeling of achievement and fulfillment.
Fear: An unpleasant feeling related to danger and threat to life.
Surprise: A sudden and unexpected feeling related to astonishment or disbelief.
Disgust: Repulsive feeling caused by something offensive, offensive, or offensive.
Affection: A comfortable feeling of affection, tenderness, or love for someone or something.
Compassion: Feeling empathetic towards a person, understanding others, and showing conversion for someone suffering or distressed.
Jealousy: Often experienced in relationship this is a feeling of possession and control. It is a negative feeling and affects daily life.
With this we come to the end of the post. We hope by now you have understood the difference between feelings, emotions, and moods and why they are important for a human being. So, next time you go through any emotional turmoil try to identify if it is a mood, feelings, or emotion that you feel. |Please leave your comments in the section below.
No comments yet