4.2 Understanding Emotions

Notes

Emotions are feelings such as joy, anger, sadness, fear and excitement. All emotions are normal and send information. What matters is how you respond.

• Naming a feeling ("I feel frustrated") makes it easier to manage.
• Healthy ways to express emotions: talk with someone you trust, write in a journal, exercise, create art or music, take a break.
• Unhealthy responses include hurting others, yelling, harming yourself or keeping everything inside.
• Empathy is understanding and caring about how others feel.
• Emotions often come with body signals, like a fast heartbeat with fear, or tight shoulders with anger.
• Use "I" statements: "I feel upset when plans change without telling me."