Emotions get a bad rap. At worst, they are seen as irrational, harmful, weak, and unnecessary. 

Emotions are adaptive signals within your body that indicate your body’s response to a situation. They are evolutionary in helping alert us to how to best protect ourselves and survive. Emotions help us make decisions, notify us to our needs, and aid in social bonding. Let’s look at the function of the core emotions, and understand how to respond their needs. 

Happiness 

The purpose of happiness is to signal well-being and satisfaction. We experience happiness as a result of behaviors that favor survival and safety, such as social bonding and success. We experience a boost of the dopamine, a neurotransmitter that creates a joyful, calming sensation that encourages us to repeat these behaviors. 

Fear 

Fear is a survival response aimed at helping us respond to real or imagined threats to safety. It activates our “fight or flight” response, prompting us to confront or flee a dangerous situation or being. It is essential for our survival and ensuring safety. 

Anger 

The purpose of anger is to indicate that our boundaries have been violated or we interpret an injustice. Anger helps motivate us to defend ourselves, or create change in relationships. I’ve often told clients that anger is an important indication of feelings of self-worth, and knowing how you deserve to be treated. 

Surprise 

Surprise’s main function is to help us adapt to unexpected events, and adapt to new situations. The response increases our arousal to quickly evaluate whether the novel event is a threat or not.  

Disgust 

Disgust is a response designed to protect us from harmful substances, such as poison or mold. It helps us avoid things that could be toxic. Socially, it can protect us from someone or something we deem morally offensive or potentially dangerous for us.

Sadness 

Sadness functions to signal the need for help, support, and comfort. This can amplify our social bonding with others, as it offers an opportunity for empathy and connection to those to respond to our sadness. Sadness occurs after a loss or disappointment, indicating the importance of a figure or outcome. 

While emotions may not always (if ever) feel “pleasant”, they are necessary and of value.