Before we learn to identify feelings, it is important to understand some facts about feelings.

1) Feelings involve a total body reaction they are mediated by a part of the brain called limbic system and the involuntary, autonomic nervous system during heightened moments of emotional stress, our bodies react, In moments of intense anger, you may experience feelings of upset stomach, a sudden feeling of warm tingling sensation, and tightness in the chest. Each reaction is unique to the individual.

2) Feelings are influenced by our thoughts and perceptions, clear communication is key and vital to our relationships.Miscommunication will result in arguments and misunderstandings. The way you perceive an event or interpret a situation gives rise to corresponding feelings. feelings are also affected by stress, automatic thoughts determine our state of mind. if you perceive a person with wrong motives you will act unreasonably and selfish, these wrong perceptions will injure the persons involved, and have the potential to destroy the relationship.

3) feelings can be simple and complex. complex feelings may be a combination of more basic emotions and also shaped by thoughts and images. simple feelings could be anger, grief sadness, fear, love, excitement, or joy. complex feelings last longer and are also linked to our thought process, simple feelings tend to be passive, short-lived, more reactive, and tied to involuntary physical reactions mediated by the autonomic nervous system. fear and panic can be basic emotions, while free-floating anxiety is an example of a more complex feeling.

4) feelings give you energy if you are aware of your feelings and are able to express them, you will feel more energetic, you will be motivated to confront issues that are bothering you, show more compassion and understanding. It is possible to experience many emotions at the same time.

5) feelings are contagious the way we speak and our actions, can I have a direct influence on the people around us, If we inspire, and promote goodness the people around us may feel motivated to imitate that behavior if we are negative, this may cause people not to take pride in their jobs. they will not be motivated to perform well. this will negatively impact the morale of the environment. This will make the environment feel uncomfortable.

6) Feelings are never right or wrong, they simply exist, the perception and judgment can be wrong or right that is why it is important not to judge a book by its cover. the perception and judgment can be valid, or invalid feelings are simply an eternal state of being. As human beings, we tend to suppress our feelings until we explode through emotional extremes, fits of rage, sarcasm indifference, lack of consideration of others, although suppression can be conscious or subtle, once you begin to ignore and withhold your feelings, over a period of time, you become bitter, you want to avoid people, isolate yourself, you become hopeless and depressed. Withheld feelings get manifested through several types of bodily and psychological symptoms venting our feelings, writing it out, crying it out, cleanses the soul, helping us to see more clearly, putting our circumstances, people, and things into their proper perspective.