5 Emotions That Have an Impact on Our Health
Emotions play a massive role in our health, behavior, and relationships because the body responds to how we feel. That’s why it’s essential to understand our feelings, why we have them, and to be aware of the effect they might have on our lives.
In this article, 5-Minute Crafts prepared a simple guide on how emotions might affect your health.
❗ Important: This article is for informational purposes only. Don’t take it as medical advice, and make sure to seek guidance from your doctor regarding health and medical conditions.
1. Anger
Negative feelings, like anger, may cause high blood pressure because they trigger the adrenal glands to produce more stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. On the other hand, if the anger is expressed and managed properly, it can be a useful emotion that inspires you to change in a positive way.
How to control it:
- Track your anger outbursts
- Take yoga or meditation classes
- Exercise
2. Stress
Stress is an emotion that can have a negative impact on memory and the ability to focus if it’s not managed properly. This feeling of being incapable in the face of some specific demands can make us feel irritable and tired. If it is expressed in the right way, stress can be a motivator and help a person to respond to danger.
How to control it:
- Reduce your caffeine intake
- Eat a balanced diet
- Organize your schedule
- Share your concerns and feelings with a person you feel close to
3. Fear
Fear is often used to describe our response to something that is dangerous or something that we are afraid of. Sometimes, it can be healthy because of the fight-flight response which cautions us to stay safe around something that could be dangerous. Most of the time, this emotion is unnecessary and causes more caution than needed. It can weaken the immune system, cause fatigue, impair the formation of your long-term memory, and even lead to decreased fertility.
How to control it:
- Calm down
- Start by doing the things you are least afraid of
- Relax and do breathing exercises
- Start thinking of a happy place
4. Grief
Grief is a natural response that is experienced when something is taken away. This feeling increases inflammation and can cause new health problems. The body fights the immune system and can change the heart muscle causing “broken heart syndrome.” The emotional pain from grief can cause physical pain and can lead to various digestive problems.
How to control it:
- Understand your pain
- Ask your loved ones for support
- Take care of yourself
- Spend time in nature
5. Shyness
Shyness is a natural feeling that affects how a person behaves around other people. Sometimes these feelings can be strong and prevent the person from interacting with society. They can affect a person’s confidence and self-esteem and may prevent them from living a life, full of opportunities. Extreme feelings of shyness can lead to anxiety.
How to control it:
Have you ever noticed how a specific emotion can cause a mood swing or spark health problems? How do you cope with huge emotional mood swings?