EMOTIONS AND MENTAL HEALTH

Emotions relate to how we feel, lasting for relatively short durations, usually minutes to hours. If lasting for longer periods – hours or perhaps days-we call them moods. Some experts join emotions and moods together , calling them feelings, but I prefer to keep them separate as it reduces confusion. Emotions can be positive or negative and healthy or unhealthy.

Positive emotions include joy, happiness, pleasure, love, awe , trust, contentment and peacefulness . Negative emotions include anger, fear , guilt, shame , hurt , jealousy. emotional pain, sadness , and loss. Healthy negative emotions include grief and loss, sadness and disappointment, annoyance , irritation, regret, and remorse. Unhealthy negative emotions include anxiety, depression , anger/rage, emotional pain , shame , guilt , jealousy , envy and hurt.