Unveiling the Mystery of Emotional Life
We live in a constant flurry of emotions. Each moment is bathed in feeling. Unless we have a biological disorder, such as alexithymia, or a learned defensive protection, such as emotional detachment, emotions are a centerpiece on our table of life. Most goals, according to the pleasure principle, have an emotional foundation. We set goals that we believe will bring pleasure and avoid pain to appease our emotions. We exist, and parallel to our existence is this emotional life, existing inside of us.
I searched the internet and my large collection of books, reading countless articles and pages referring to ’emotional life’ and never found a clear definition. One of my favorite reads, the Emotional Life of Your Brain, referred to our emotional life repeatedly but never defined it. Perhaps, the concept is so basic that in its plainness it eludes my understanding.
Perhaps, if you landed on this page from an organic google search, you are curious too. What is our emotional life?
Key Definition:
Our emotional life is a combination of all the processes underlying our personal construction of emotion and our relationship with those arising feelings.
What Does the Term ‘Emotional Life’ Mean?
Life
Life is distinguished from a dead inanimate object by the living objects capacity for growth, reaction to stimuli, and reproduction. We easily identify life in whole organisms such as plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria. We also recognize that within aa living organism are parts of the whole that are also alive, such as cells.
Richard Dawkins in his book the Selfish Gene suggests that the gene is an underlying living organism that directs the animal to ensure its (the genes) survival. In Dawkins words, “Genes are the primary policy-makers; brains are the executives.” Dawkins later adds that the “logical conclusion to this trend, not yet reached in any species, would be for the genes to give the survival machine a single overall policy instruction: do whatever you think best to keep us alive” (Dawkins, 2016).Â
Organisms are open systems that maintain homeostasis, are composed of cells, have a life cycle, undergo metabolism, can grow, adapt to their environment, respond to stimuli, reproduce and evolve.
Let’s move on to emotions, then we will try to tie this together in a coherent and helpful definition of the whole (emotional life).
Emotions
Emotions are the end result of multiple processes of perceiving, interpreting, and applying learned concepts. Lisa Feldman Barrett explains, “A physical event like a change in heart rate, blood pressure, or respiration becomes an emotional experience only when we, with emotion concepts that we have learned from our culture, imbue the sensations with additional functions by social agreement.” Feldman Barrett continues, explaining that we must “not confuse physical reality, such as changes in heart rate or widened eyes, with the social reality of emotion concepts” (Barrett, 2018, p. 39).Â
Emotions such as sadness, fear, joy are labels . We give to physical events such as increased heart rate, rising blood pressure and increased respiration a name and an emotion.
Emotions and Life Together
A single experience of emotion passes quickly, fading into a mood that may last for hours, days, or months. However, when writers and psychologists refer to emotional life, they are referring to more than a passing emotion but a conglomerate of emotions, the entirety of our emotional existence.
All the processes underlying our personal construction of emotion and our relationship with the arising emotions becomes our emotional life. Emotions from this conceptual view are living entities. Emotions live because they grow, react, and communicate. Our brain and the brains of others become partners with the living emotions thriving inside each of us.
Nurturing Our Emotional Life
Continuing with the concept that our emotional existence is a living being, in order to thrive, we must nurture our emotional life. Feldman Barrett offers this, “The science is crystal clear on healthful food, regular exercise, and sleep as prerequisites for a balanced body budget and a healthy emotional life. A chronically taxed body budget increases your chances of developing a host of different illnesses” (Barrett, 2018, p. 178).
If we want a healthy emotional life, we begin by adopting healthy habits. A foundation of healthy living provides the necessary resources from which emotions spring. We add to these basics of wellness, self-care to avoid burnout and overwhelm. According to the diathesis stress model, illnesses form when we continually overtax our system. Supportive, validating relationships are also essential to nurture our emotional lives. Our souls leap with joy when significant figures in our life seamlessly attune to our emotions. When some one by accepts the existence of our emotions, and sees them as appropriate, we feel validated.
The very beginnings of a healthy emotional life is found in a parents recognition of its existence in the child. When the parent recognizes, attunes and validates, this life energy thrives in the child and carries them through adulthood, pushing them towards a flourishing life.
Associated Concepts
- Feeling Life: This refers to the notion that our existence is deeply intertwined with our emotional and sensory perceptions. It suggests that the essence of life is not just about the passage of time, but also about the richness of our feelings, sensations, and emotions.
- Somatic Markers: These are physiological or bodily reactions that are associated with emotions and influence decision-making processes. Coined by Antonio Damasio, a renowned neuroscientist, somatic markers refer to the way our bodies respond to certain stimuli and how those responses are linked to our emotional experiences.
- Embodied Cognition: This theory suggests our thoughts and perceptions are shaped by our physical experiences. It delves into the role of the body in shaping our minds, highlighting concepts like sensory experiences, motor actions, and embodiment in language and cognition.
- Emotion Differentiation: This concept, also known as emotion granularity, involves labeling emotions with complexity. This skill is crucial for recognizing, understanding, and managing emotions, enhancing emotional intelligence and well-being. It enables nuanced appraisal of emotions and promotes better emotional regulation and mental health.
- Emotional Patterns: These refer to recurring and predictable emotional responses to certain situations or stimuli. These patterns can include a range of emotions such as joy, sadness, anger, fear, and more, and they often form the basis of an individual’s emotional temperament and personality.
- Emotional Intelligence: Recent research suggests that emotional intelligence, the ability to understand and manage emotions, is crucial for success in relationships, health, and overall quality of life. It is considered even more important than IQ in predicting success.
- Emotional Integrity: This refers to the alignment and consistency between a person’s emotions, thoughts, and actions. It involves being true to oneself and expressing emotions authentically, while also considering the impact of those emotions on others.
A Few Words from Psychology Fanatic
In conclusion, our emotional life is a rich tapestry woven from the threads of our experiences, thoughts, and interactions. Emotions are not just fleeting feelings but are integral to the very fabric of our being, shaping our perception of the world and our place within it. They drive us to love, to learn, and to grow, even as they challenge us with complexity and nuance. As we continue to navigate the ebb and flow of our emotional currents, let us embrace them with courage and curiosity, recognizing that each emotion, whether joyous or painful, is a vital part of our journey. May we strive to understand our emotions, not as obstacles to overcome, but as guides to living a more fulfilled and authentic life.
Last Update: January 20, 2026
References:
Barrett, Lisa Feldman (2018) How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain. Mariner Books; Illustrated edition. ISBN-10: 1328915433; APA Record: 2017-26294-000
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Dawkins, Richard (2016). The Selfish Gene. Oxford University Press; 4th edition. ISBN: 0199291152
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Intellect Models
Emotionally Confused
Psychology of Emotions
