How Do You Feel?

Emotions are feelings that every human being experiences. Joy, sadness, anger, fear, surprise — these are all emotions, and they are a completely natural and important part of being human. Scientists believe we are born with a set of basic emotions that are universal — meaning people all over the world feel and express them in similar ways.

Emotions serve important purposes. Fear protects us from danger by triggering our "fight or flight" response. Anger tells us when something is unfair. Joy reinforces behaviours that are good for us. Sadness helps us process loss and builds empathy. Even the emotions we think of as "negative" have a positive function.

Our emotions are controlled by a part of the brain called the amygdala — an almond-shaped structure that processes emotional reactions. When you feel scared, your amygdala sends signals to the rest of your body: your heart beats faster, your muscles tense, and you breathe more quickly. This prepares you to either fight or run away from danger.

Emotional intelligence (EQ) is the ability to understand and manage your own emotions, and to recognise and respond to the emotions of others. Research shows that people with high EQ tend to have stronger relationships, perform better at school and work, and cope better with stress. EQ can be developed and improved at any age through practice.

Expressing emotions in healthy ways is important for well-being. Talking about your feelings, writing in a journal, exercising, and spending time with people you care about are all healthy ways to process emotions. In Korea, there is a concept called nunchi (눈치) — the ability to read the atmosphere and understand others' feelings without them being spoken. It is considered an important social skill!