What’s the Difference Between Emotions and Feelings?

We all know that emotions and feelings are a central part of our lives. Most of us use the words “feelings” and “emotions” interchangeably, but there are actually distinct differences between the two. Knowing what these differences are can help us better understand our own inner workings, as well as those of others. Let’s take a look at what emotions and feelings really are and how they differ from each other.

What is an emotion?

Emotions come from our thoughts and beliefs about a particular situation or experience. It's often triggered by some external event or stimulus and has been known to be associated with physiological arousal, facial expressions, thoughts, behavior and biological changes. They involve conscious thoughts that require us to process information before arriving at an emotional conclusion. When we experience an emotion, we often need to take action in order to cope with it—like talking ourselves down from anxiety or finding ways to manage our anger. Emotions are usually short-lived, however they can become long-term if they remain unresolved. For example, sadness or anger can become long-term emotions if they are not addressed properly. In other words, emotions give us insight into how we feel about things and motivate us to act on those feelings in some way.

What is a feeling?

Feelings are physical reactions to an emotion. They involve a physiological response that can be felt in our body, such as a racing heart, sweaty palms, or a knot in your stomach. These types of responses happen whether we like it or not and are often involuntary, meaning we don’t have control over them. For example, if you're feeling anxious about something, you may feel your heart rate increase or your hands start to shake even before you have time to think about it.

… and now what?

Understanding the difference between emotions and feelings helps us identify how we're feeling in different situations and why we may feel certain ways about certain people or things. It's important to remember that both emotions and feelings play an essential role in our lives. Knowing the difference between emotions and feelings is just one small step towards gaining more self-awareness—but it could make all the difference when it comes to managing life's highs and lows with greater ease. Understanding these concepts can also provide valuable insight into why certain situations affect us in certain ways and give us a clearer picture of how best to respond accordingly for maximum benefit.

If you want to learn more about feelings and emotions and gain a variety of skills to manage them, enrol in our online course Working with Emotions, which will guide you to understand what you feel and how that manifests in your body, mind, and actions.