The interpretation we make of emotions are feelings, which can be regulated by our thoughts.
Emotions direct our behavior, it is therefore important to recognize them, name them and learn to manage them.
On many occasions emotions are confused with feelings, however, emotions and feelings are far from each other.
The feeling arises from an expression from the Latin "sentire" which means to think, give an opinion or realize something. The concept of emotion comes from the Latin "emotĭo", which means "movement or impulse"
An emotion is a set of neurochemical and hormonal responses that unconsciously lead us to react in a certain way to an external or internal stimulus (such as a memory of a scene).
The limbic system of the brain is the one in charge of generating this response in the organism. For example, if a person associates seeing an insect with its bite, the limbic system will cause him to experience fear. With this emotion the individual will react and act in an unconscious and spontaneous way.
The feeling is also related to the limbic system of the brain, but it appears when, in addition to the emotion, thought, reason, reflection and judgment are added to the experience that provokes that reaction. Unlike emotion, feeling is accompanied by a rational, conscious assessment. Feelings are the conscious form of emotions.
Emotion always goes first to feeling. Without emotion there will be no feeling. Emotions occur unconsciously, and they are very fast. Emotions are psychophysiological reactions that occur spontaneously and automatically. Feelings, emotions made conscious, occur when consciousness intervenes and can last longer.
Another concept that we can also include next to emotion and feeling is mood. Moods are not emotions, but more or less lasting psychological states, and from which we value and interpret events.
Once the emotion has become conscious (feeling) we can lengthen or shorten it in time and intensity. This is what we call emotional management.
Although the difference seems to be clear, they cannot be separated from each other, where an emotion appears a feeling appears, and in order to lead a full and satisfactory life we must learn to manage our conscious emotions, our feelings.
