Analyzing Emotions Inside and Out

Death and taxes are not the only constants in life. Throughout the course of a day, month, or even year, we experience a wide range of emotions. In fact, ask yourself how you’re feeling as you begin reading this article.

Maybe you’re feeling extreme joy over a promotion.

Perhaps you recently lost a family member and feel sadness.

You may be feeling disgust over an ignorant, hate-filled comment you read this morning on Facebook.

There is a possibility you feel fear because your company is downsizing and you may lose your job.

Then again, you may be experiencing extreme anger because your child was suspended in school.

Experiencing a wide range of emotions is perfectly normal. Being human is an emotional experience because we all endure triumphs, failures, and struggles throughout life.

That was the message in the animated movie “Inside Out,” which was released in June. In the movie, an 11-year-old girl named Riley moved with her family from Minnesota to San Francisco. There are five characters who control her “headquarters,” or brain: Joy, Anger, Fear, Disgust, and Sadness. Because Joy is the most active, Riley has enjoyed a happy life full of family vacations, lots of friends, and memorable moments as an ice skating competitor.

However, shortly after Riley and her family settle in San Francisco, Joy loses control when she and Sadness are kicked out of headquarters. Riley’s brain is now controlled by Anger, Fear, and Disgust. The small girl begins lashing out at her parents, fighting with friends, and sees her life in a negative view.

The movie’s important lesson occurs as Joy and Sadness attempt to make their way back to headquarters. Before, Sadness could never understand Joy’s optimism, while Joy could never understand why Sadness was depressed and pessimistic. Yet, spending time together allowed the characters to see that both emotions play an equally important role in people’s lives.

For instance, Riley receives unconditional support and love from her parents whenever she is sad. Their love helps heal Riley’s pain and allows her to express her feelings. And whenever she faces difficult times head on, she grows and matures as a person. Moreover, Sadness helps her gain a greater appreciation during the times she feels happy.

”Inside Out” teaches us that experiencing every emotion—even the bad ones—is an important part of human existence. Here’s a closer look why it is both healthy and natural to experience the full range of emotions in our lives.

Fear me not

Fear can make us panic and stop us dead in our tracks. However, it is not a sign of weakness. In fact, research indicates that fearlessness may be an indication of a problematic brain where people experience emotional and social problems.

Believe it or not, fear has a place in our lives.

Fear keeps us alive. Without it, we would not know to run away from a thousand-pound grizzly bear or stay away from a ledge. Fear is responsible for our fight-or-flight response and is a biochemical reaction necessary for survival.

Fear makes us feel alive. What sounds more exciting…sitting at home watching a movie or zip lining across a mountain? It is very invigorating to face your fears because doing so is a natural and positive drug. There is a big difference between existing and living.

Feeling fear typically means you are doing something awesome with your life. Olympic athletes and successful businesspersons experience fear all the time. They are great because they are doing something worthy of fear.

Fear increases confidence and self-esteem. Achieving a feat that initially seems impossible makes you a stronger person. As your confidence grows, so does your spirit.

Fear triggers the natural fight-or-flight response in our body. Therefore, we know immediately whether a situation is threatening and how we should deal with it.

Fear causes the body to produce extra adrenaline, which boosts circulations and heightens awareness. Therefore, riding a screaming roller coaster or bungee jumping off a cliff may make you feel more alive than ever.

“Fear gripped my body several months ago when I opened my mouth to tell my husband goodnight. My speech was slurred; I couldn’t talk. We called 911 and tests determined I had suffered a mild stroke. I could not believe it because I am a 49-year-old woman who only one year ago completed a cross-country bicycle ride. Although I was initially afraid, my fear has motivated me. I am now riding my bicycle 20 miles a day and I’m constantly blogging about the aftermath of my stroke. People who read my blog say it has inspired them to better cope with their issues, so it’s all worth it.”

—Tracy Draper, Mount Dora

Temper your temper…a little

There are many legitimate reasons not to become angry. Anger can make us engage in self-destructive behavior or say nasty things to friends or family members that we later regret. However, just like any emotion, anger can be beneficial.

Anger can be a motivating force, helping us push toward our goals even when obstacles arise. Let’s suppose a friend tells you buying a Ford Mustang is unattainable because you do not work hard enough or you foolishly spend money and cannot save enough. While that comment will make you angry, it will light a fire under you to prove your friend wrong.

Justifiable anger can be used to find a solution in relationships. If your spouse does something that constantly annoys you, then being angry will communicate to the spouse that he or she is committing an injustice. Conversely, if you hide anger, then your spouse will continue doing the thing that annoys as you have not communicated that he or she is doing something wrong. That would be detrimental to the relationship.

Anger can actually reduce violence. When someone is angry, it sends a strong signal that a situation needs to be resolved. When others sense this signal they are motivated to try and calm the angry person. Without the ability to express anger, the offended party may have resorted to physical violence.

Anger serves as an alert system that something is wrong on a personal, interpersonal, or societal scare. This is beneficial and may be the reason we’re no longer in an unhealthy relationship, why there are no segregated water foundations, or why someone leaves a stress-filled, unrewarding job.

“I am an employee with Lake County Property Appraiser, and one of my duties is to formulate computer programs to make the job more convenient and easier for appraisers who are out in the field. There are times when I become fuming angry because I cannot get something on the computer to work. I realize that my anger may be misplaced. I step back, start from the beginning, and go piece by piece. So in my case, anger makes me realize I need to be rational so I can effectively reevaluate and analyze what I am doing.”

—Justin Walsh, Tavares

Don’t worry, be sad!

Sadness is frowned on in society. The prevailing thought is that someone who is sad should be avoided because his pessimism and negative outlook will only bring others down. The sad truth; however, is that there are clear and distinct advantages to being sad.

Crying flushes the body of toxic chemicals and reduces stress levels because it releases a natural pain killer hormone.

A scientific study conducted by a professor at Columbia Business School revealed that feeling sad stimulates our creativity.

People who are constantly happy may have trouble understanding why others feel sad or depressed. Conversely, when you feel sadness yourself, you are more likely to be sensitive, compassionate, and empathetic toward others.

When we talk to family members or friends about being sad, it cheers us up and brings us closer to them.

Being sad is actually an effective way to cope with the problem or problems we’re facing in life. It’s the first step to feeling better and returning to a baseline level of happiness.

Sadness can increase our motivation levels because we exert effort to change our unpleasant state. In contrast, happier people are sometimes less motivated to make changes.

“Years ago I attended a conference in Oregon. One morning I was walking in a park and met a young struggling artist who was sitting on a bench. He told me how all his friends who wanted to become doctors or computer engineers had opportunities to receive scholarships and advance in their careers. He did not have the same opportunity because he was an artist. I felt very sad at that moment. There wasn’t much I could do to help him. However, in 1998, I started a nonprofit organization called Young Performing Artists. Since its inception, we have awarded $35,000 in scholarship money to young artists in the community. Had it not been for my sad encounter with the young artist in Oregon, I likely would have never formed Young Performing Artists.”

—Beverly Steele, Royal

Burst with joy

Feeling joy in our lives is the one emotion we all crave. Unfortunately, it seems to come easier from some than others. Joy provides us with endurance and strength, helps us recover easier when we’re upset, and pushes us to persevere through trials and tribulations.

Studies have proven that feeling joy is associated with lower stress-related hormones and better immune function. In short, joy contributes to longer, healthier lives.

When you go about life in a joyful state, your body continues releasing hormones of euphoria.

Life is all about relationships. Feeling joy and happiness is contagious. Happy people attract other happy people.

Seniors who constantly feel joy are 35 percent less likely to die within the next five years, according to a study released in 2011.

Joyful people are more likely to experience all life has to offer. That means expanding horizons and engaging in new activities such as golf, tennis, marathon running, scuba diving, waterskiing, and even bungee jumping.

A study conducted at Carnegie Mellon University discovered that happy
people are less likely to
catch colds and
experienced fewer symptoms when they did get sick. The study also revealed that depressed, nervous, or angry people are more likely to complain about colds.

“I work as manager of community relations at South Lake Hospital. Recently, a sixth-grade student approached us and asked if we’d help sponsor a project she is doing for Girl Scouts. The project is called Morning Mile, where children in elementary schools walk laps before school begins. She is trying to get the program implemented in all local elementary schools so children can become active and healthy. Our hospital decided to sponsor one of the schools. This brought me lots of joy because we’re all working together to achieve a healthier community, and the fact that a little girl spearheaded this project, is very heartwarming.”

—Kim Couch, Clermont

Deliciously disgusting

Disgust is an emotion that, for whatever, reason, takes a backseat to joy, sadness, fear, and anger. We’re going to shine a spotlight on disgust, nonetheless. After all, it is an emotion that begins early in childhood. Surely you remember your nose wrinkling up as you accused a classmate of having cooties, right?

Disgust plays an important role in our lives. It determines whom we’re going to kiss, whom we’re going to mate with, and whom we’re going to shun.

Disgust also determines hygiene behaviors. On the contrary, people who are not disgusted very easily may have difficulty maintaining bodily and domestic hygiene.

Disgust can help avoid infectious diseases, as those experiencing this emotion are more apt to wash their hands in a public restroom or avoid sexual activity with people who have infectious diseases.

While disgust protects us from disease, there’s mounting evidence that it plays a more significant role in our attitudes toward everything in our lives, including food, politics, and relationships. In fact, a Cornell University psychology professor found that people who are more easily disgusted in everyday life
have different moral and political views than
those who are less easily disgusted.

“There were definitely things in life that disgust me. I used to pass out at the sight of blood, and whenever my children became sick and vomited I would also vomit. However, after my father suffered a massive stroke, I was able to bathe him, wash his body, and change his ostomy bag. I would have thought that kind of contact would be disgusting. However, I was honored and blessed to care for my father before he passed away. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done but also the most rewarding. When you accomplish things you never thought were possible, you become stronger and feel like you can accomplish anything.”

—Leila Wood, Leesburg

Special thanks to Terry Wilkinson and his theatrical group, In His Steps Dance Company in Wildwood

Source: existing2living.com/8-reasons-why-fear-is-good-for-you/
Sources: mindfulnessmuse.com/emotional-intelligence/6-surprising-benefits-of-getting-angrygreatist.com/happiness/health-benefits-anger-how-to-copeSources: dayofwomen.org/9-real-benefits-of-feeling-sad/greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/four_ways_sadness_may_be_good_for_you
Sources: abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2013/03/27/how-happiness-affects-your-health/topyaps.com/top-10-benefits-of-being-happynews.sciencemag.org/2011/10/happiness-associated-longer-lifehappify.com/hd/whats-so-great-about-happiness/
Sources: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3189359/evidencebasedliving.human.cornell.edu/2011/06/22/feeling-disgust-the-evidence-shows-it-matters/