Essential differences between emotions and feelings: they are NOT the same

We use it many times as synonyms, but the truth is that they are not the same and that there are many differences between emotions and feelings. Perhaps the confusion is due to the use of the verb “to feel”. When we say I feel sad, it can be referring to both an emotion and a feeling. Because we don’t just feel the feelings, we also feel the emotions. If this seems a bit confusing to you, keep reading because in this article we clarify the concepts.

What is an Emotion

Emotion is generated in the limbic system and is a complex reaction or a set of neurochemical and hormonal responses to an external or internal stimulus. The stimuli can be, as we say, external in the case of the fear you feel when you see a spider, or internal, such as the sadness that fills you when you remember the death of a loved one.

It must be clarified that emotions are temporary; they last a very short time. You may be doubting that it is such a short time, but it is true. If they last longer, it is because we are resisting that emotion, because we do not accept it, or because we allow a feeling regarding that emotion to arise. But the emotion itself, because it is an automatic response, can last a very short time, it all depends on what we do with it.

What is a Feeling

• Understanding what an emotion is can clarify the concept of feeling a little better. If we have already seen that emotion is an automatic reaction, feeling is produced through thought. Although it is also a quick process and sometimes less conscious than we would like, the feeling is the way in which we interpret the emotion.
• At the moment when the emotion is accompanied by a feeling, thoughts come into play. Those irrational, obsessive, catastrophic, recurring or intrusive thoughts that make that state of mind take hold of us and we can’t get out of there.
• To put it in some way, the feeling would be the mixture of emotion plus thought. And here we come to that delicate part in which without realizing it we are judging or valuing the emotion. That cocktail that usually ends in anxiety problems or depression.

Fundamental differences between emotions and feelings

1. For this reason, it is important to understand the differences between emotions and feelings, because that way we will know better what to do with them or, rather, what not to do. Are you looking for the secret? Don’t judge emotion, whatever it is. Don’t feel guilty about it, don’t think you don’t have the right to feel it, don’t pretend to ignore it or avoid it because it’s annoying, don’t think you’re a worse person for having it, which is what we generally do with them. And that is precisely what leads us to maintain and increase the discomfort.
2. Emotions and feelings can be differentiated by how long they last. An emotion is a temporary mental state that can disappear immediately. If, for example, you are in the field and you see a snake, you will feel fear, but that fear will go away as soon as the snake or the danger disappears. However, perhaps the fear will stay and, in that case, it will no longer be an emotion but a feeling that your thoughts have provoked thinking about the danger you have been through, that it could have hurt you. The more time you spend thinking about that feeling, the longer it will stick around.
3. The order of appearance is an important differentiator. First the response of the emotion appears and then, mixed with the thoughts, it gives rise to a feeling or several different ones. Because the same emotion can provoke many feelings.
4. The conscious and unconscious duality also marks the difference between emotions and feelings, although sometimes it is only a fine line. Emotions are unconscious, automatic, while feelings are the result of a conscious cognitive process.
5. The management that we can do of emotions and feelings is very different. Although we always talk about learning to manage emotions, we cannot do it, emotions will appear whether we want to or not, whether we know how to manage them or not. In reality, what we must learn is to manage feelings so that they do not impact us so negatively, so that we do not pay as much attention or importance to them.

Do you know what the basic emotions are?

• Linguistic concepts aside, we continue to try to manage emotions in a more intelligent and positive way. Although now we know that it may not be the emotions that we have to manage, but the feelings that are created through them.
• But in order to learn to manage feelings, emotions and even thoughts, it is first necessary to identify what we are working with. Emotions can be difficult to explain and slip between definitions. They may seem like an abstract concept that becomes very precise the moment it is presented. Because we may not be able to express our emotions at all times, but we can feel them very clearly and very real.
• And since all this is about continuous learning, we wonder what are those emotions that we all feel regardless of our culture, age or place of birth? These are universal emotions, basic or primary emotions, although many more can be discovered from them. We look at the Final Degree Project on basic emotions by Mª Visitación Vigo Arroyo (CEU Cardenal Herrera University) to define them:
• The fear. We consider it a negative emotion, but in reality it is the one that has helped us survive. This emotion alerts us to danger so that we can act, so it is convenient for us to feel it. It is when fear becomes a feeling motivated by our thoughts and not by a real stimulus of danger that it becomes our enemy.
• The sadness. This emotion is one that we try to avoid and sometimes we hide it making it even bigger. It is a state of despondency and hopelessness closely linked to the feeling of loss.
• The joy. It is the most desired and sought after emotion because it is the feeling of pleasure, well-being or happiness. It is accompanied by feelings of love, affection, care, understanding or support.
• The anger. It is the hostile emotion, sometimes violent and aggressive, sometimes more appeased in the form of simple anger. But in any case it is accompanied by resentment, a feeling of threat, insecurity and danger.
• The disgust _ This emotion has a very marked instinctive character and with it we clearly see how we cannot avoid it. You can feel disgust of an animal, a food, an object, a scene, a person or even a behavior.
• The surprise. Some authors include surprise among the basic emotions and it is as instinctive as disgust. Surprise is where we can best observe that the duration of emotions is limited.
• As you can see, whether we like it or not, these basic emotions are there and we are going to feel them. Sign that we are alive. Don’t let them bother you too much because they are just reactions to stimuli. The work comes later, to try to ensure that thought does not transform that emotion into a heavy feeling that remains over time and traps you in that state.