Emotions are our
feelings. Literally. We feel them in our bodies as tingles, hot spots and
muscular tension. There are cognitive aspects, but the physical sensation is what makes them
really different.
Emotions lead to coping
activities. When we feel something, we consequently respond to that
feeling. This can be both in the immediate (and often subconscious) response to the feeling and
also in the more thoughtful handling of the aftermath. Where this has been a negative feeling, the
response may range from vigorous justification of our actions to conciliatory apologies and
other 'making up'. A common response to the repression of unwanted emotions is
displacement, where we act out our frustration in other ways. Thus a reprimanded child,
knowing they cannot answer back, may go and 'punish' their toys.
Emotions affect
and are a part of our mood, which is usually a more sustained emotional state.
Mood affects our judgment and changes how we process decisions.
So what?
So manage emotions,
both yours and theirs. In negotiations, the person gets their way is often
the person who has greatest emotional control.
