We often connect with others based on our emotions. When we feel happy, sad, angry, scared, etc., we tend to connect with others who share similar emotional states. This makes sense because it helps us understand how other people are feeling.
However, connecting with others based on emotion alone doesn't work very well. In fact, most of the time we fail miserably at connecting with others. Why? Because most of us aren't emotionally intelligent enough to see the true feelings behind someone else's actions.
That's why we should stop relying solely on emotion and instead learn to read more subtle cues and signals from others. By understanding these emotional clues, we can successfully connect with others and build relationships.
When we feel emotionally connected to others, we're happier and healthier. Unfortunately, most of us don't connect very well with others. We find ourselves isolated and lonely.
We may think that our emotions are private, but they aren't. They affect everyone around us, whether we realize it or not.
In this article, I'm going to share 13 emotions that help us connect with others. By understanding these emotions, we can better understand those around us.
I hope you enjoy reading my list!
1. Anger
Anger helps us connect with others when we express our anger in positive ways. For example, when we yell at someone else, we're expressing our anger in a negative way. But when we yell at our kids, we're expressing our love for them in a positive way.
2. Appreciation
Appreciating others is one of the easiest ways to connect with people. If you appreciate someone's good qualities, then you'll want to spend more time with that person.
For example, when you see a friend smile, you want to smile back and show her that she has made you happy. Or if your child does something nice, you want to tell him/her how much he/she means to you.
3. Compassion
Compassion is another emotion that helps us connect with others. It's the ability to care for others' feelings and problems.
We care about others when we try to understand their pain and struggles. And we care about others when we respond positively to their needs, such as when we offer to help someone clean out his/her garage.
4. Contentment
Contentment is a feeling of happiness and satisfaction that comes from being content with what you have.
The opposite of contentment is discontentment -- when we're unhappy with our lives, relationships, etc.
5. Courage
Courage is the willingness to take action despite fear. It's the ability not to give up when things seem hopeless.
It's important to be courageous when facing challenges in life. For example, courage allows us to go after our dreams and goals.
6. Curiosity
Curiosity is the desire to learn more about the world around us. It makes us curious about everything -- including other people.
We're curious about other people when we ask questions and listen carefully to what they say.
7. Enthusiasm
Enthusiasm is a feeling of excitement and joy. It makes us enthusiastic about doing things.
When we're enthusiastic, we're excited about learning new things and taking risks.
8. Excitement
Excitement is a feeling of joy and anticipation. It makes us eager to do exciting things.
It's easy to become excited when we're looking forward to seeing a movie or attending a concert.
9. Fear
Fear is our natural reaction to danger. It keeps us safe from harm.
However, we need to overcome our failure and fears so we can live our lives fully.
For example, we need to overcome the fear of public speaking so we can speak in front of crowds.
10. Gratitude
Gratitude is an emotion that comes naturally to some people, but many of us struggle with this emotion.
This isn't surprising since gratitude is so closely related to joy. If we're grateful, then we're joyful.
But being grateful doesn't come naturally to everyone. In fact, studies suggest that gratitude is actually harder to cultivate than empathy.
To become more grateful, focus on the positive aspects of life. Notice how lucky you are to have everything you need.
Then share these thoughts with others. They'll be inspired by your positivity and be more willing to reciprocate.
11. Hope
Hope is another emotion that's difficult to cultivate. Many of us believe that hope is unrealistic and unattainable.
But research suggests that hope is actually quite realistic and attainable.
Just like gratitude, hope is closely connected with joy.
When we're hopeful, we expect good things to happen. We see possibilities where there aren't any.
By practising hope, we can increase our expectations and make room for good things to happen.
12. Humor
Humour is a great way to connect with others. A little humour goes a long way.
A person who laughs at his or her own jokes has a higher level of self-esteem. And laughter releases endorphins, which reduce stress and strengthen immune systems.
Laughter also improves social interactions. People who laugh together are more likely to bond.
13. Sad
Sadness is an emotional response to loss or suffering.
When you miss someone you feel sad. It is considered one of the five primary emotions along with happiness, surprise, anger, and fear. Although this feeling can be triggered by many different things, some of the best ways to trigger sadness include losing someone close to us, being rejected, experiencing rejection, having our expectations unmet, failing at something, seeing someone suffer, watching others suffer, and witnessing violence.
