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05.04.2022Moods and Emotions: What’s the Difference?
Most of the time, people use the words “moods” and “emotions” interchangeably. However, there are key differences between them. In this article, we will touch on the differences between moods and emotions and the types of each.
Let’s get started, shall we?
What are Feelings?
Feelings refer to the response you have to certain physical or emotional events. They are dependent on the situation — like how you can feel both emotionally and physically cold.
The different types of feelings help us make sense of our emotions and affect our emotional response. Typically, feelings last longer than emotions.
What are Emotions?
Emotions refer to types of feelings that are short-lived. Certain things usually cause them. A good example is how you feel when you get a thoughtful gift from your loved one. The happiness you feel is an emotion that lasts for only a brief time.
Usually, emotional responses accompany behavioral and physiological changes that we encounter. Some examples are feeling afraid or curious in a strange place, excited when you visit old friends, and sorrow when you lose a prized possession.
Key Elements of Emotions
There are three elements of emotions. They are:
- The Subjective Experience
- Physiological Response
- Behavioral Response
Types of Emotional Responses
There are different types of emotions: fear, surprise, sadness, happiness, anger, and disgust. These six emotions were first identified as the basic emotions a person experiences. However, other emotions like satisfaction, contempt, shame, pride, embarrassment, excitement, and amusement have also been added to the list.
Also read – The Mind-Body Connection: How Your Emotions Affect Your Health
What is Mood?
Moods are typically made up of multiple emotions and last longer than emotional reactions, typically for at least a day. They have no clear starting or ending point, so it is often difficult to identify the triggers for your mood.
Examples of moods
Moods are divided into good and bad moods instead of emotions that come in various forms.
Emotions Vs. Moods
How are emotions and moods different, you may ask? Find out key differences below.Emotions Moods Short-lived Last longer More intense Less intense Result from chemicals being released in response to certain triggers Stem from a combination of two or more emotions Physiological response to stimulus A fine blend of emotions and feelings Rapid buildup Builds up gradually Usually brought on by specific effects Not caused by specific events
Difference Between Feelings and Emotions
Knowing what feelings and emotions are is one thing, but how do you tell them apart? This chart can help you learn the key differences between feelings and emotions.Feelings Emotions Conscious response to emotions Automatic responses to certain stimuli Subjective perception of emotions Unconscious response Shaped by culture and past experiences More instinctive Long duration Short duration
How to Process Emotions
You are not your emotions, so it is wise to learn how to process your emotions and react with wisdom.
- The first step is realizing there are no good or bad emotions, so instead of feeling triggered, you should focus on your reaction to the emotions.
- Make a conscious effort to work through each emotion.
- Understand that your emotions and how you feel are valid.
- Try to learn from emotions like fear, sadness, anger, etc.
Bonus: How to Measure Emotions and Feelings
Easy ways to measure emotions include tracking brain activity, heart rate, pupil dilation, skin conductance, and facial expressions. On the other hand, you can measure feelings with self-reporting tools like surveys, questionnaires, and interviews.
Lasta also helps you measure and track your emotions and mood to know how best to deal with them. Take our quiz today to get started.
Final Thoughts
While feelings, moods, and emotions may look like the same thing, there are key distinctions. These differences can be grouped by cause, duration, type, onset, and intensity. We hope this article has helped you determine what you feel and the best way to process it.
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Emmanuella Uka is a passionate researcher, creative writer, and SEO expert. She prides in delivering top-notch content that effectively fulfills the writing purpose. She is versatile across a wide range of niches, and topics. Emmanuella Uka is currently married with 2 kids and lives in the United States of America.
