Whats the difference between an emotion and a feeling and why does it matter?

When you understand the difference, it can help you manage your emotions better.
According to Dr. Joe Dispenza, emotions are those physical reactions that happen automatically in your body when you face a situation or think about something. They are like a natural response, and you don’t have much control over them.

Here are some tangible examples of emotions as physical reactions:

Fear – Your body may respond to a situation you perceive as threatening with increased heart rate, sweating, and tense muscles.
Joy – You might feel a sense of warmth and excitement in your chest, and your body might even feel lighter or more energetic.
Anger – You might experience a rush of heat to your face, clench your jaw, and ball your fists.
Sadness – You might feel a heaviness in your chest and have tears welling up in your eyes.
Surprise – You might feel your body jolt or tense up suddenly.

On the other hand, our feelings are the thoughts and stories we tell ourselves about those physical reactions. They are the conscious experience of our emotions. For example, if you feel angry, the physical sensations of heat and tension in your body are the emotion, while the story you tell yourself about why you’re angry is the feeling.

Understanding the difference between emotions and feelings can help you regulate your responses to different situations and make positive changes in your life. By becoming more aware of the physical sensations and stories you’re telling yourself, you can start to manage your emotions and feelings better.

So, the next time you feel overwhelmed by an emotion, take a moment to check in with your body and notice the physical sensations you’re experiencing. Then, try to understand the story you’re telling yourself about those sensations. By doing this, you’ll start to gain control over your emotions and make positive changes in your life.