It is impossible to imagine life without emotions!
Emotional health is an integral (important) part of our overall health. Emotional healthy people are in control of their thoughts, feelings and behaviour. They are able to cope up with life challenges. Emotions help us to communicate with others and to act quickly in important (emergency) situations.
Emotions are influenced by a network of inter connected structures in the brain that make up what is known as limbic system (the Hypothalamus, Hippocampus, amygdale and the limbic cortex).
Positive Emotions – Happiness, joy, excitement, gratitude, love, interest, curiosity, contentment are few examples of positive emotions.
Negative Emotions – Sadness, anger, loneliness, jealousy, self criticism, fear, rejection are few examples of negative emotions.
Occasionally, we don’t express (suppress) emotions like anger, grief, frustration etc. to protect relationships. Suppressing emotions can affect the body and lead to health problems because of hormonal dis balances, deplete the brain chemicals required for happiness and can also damage the immune system.
Expressing emotions helps us to release tension that we are carrying around. It improves our decision making capacity and helps in finding out solutions to our problems.
Reducing the stress and anxiety, creating self confidence to connect to self and others leads to healthier and happier relationships.