BODY MAP OF EMOTIONS
EMOTIONS
BODY MAP OF EMOTIONS
WHEN WE FEEL EMOTIONS, WHERE DO THEY OCCUR?
In a 2013 study by Nummenmaa, Glerean, Hari, and Hietanen, participants of various nationalities were asked to mark on a drawing of a human figure the areas of the body that became activated when they experienced a certain emotional state, and to do the same on another figure.
🥶Areas where they felt less activation were shown in cool colors.
🔥Areas with more activation were shown in warm colors.
👀To do this, they were presented with words, stories, movies, and facial expressions representing 6 basic or primary emotions (anger, fear, disgust, happiness, sadness, and surprise) and 7 secondary or complex emotions (anxiety, love, depression).
- HAPPINESS: Throughout the whole body.
- CHEST: The upper half of the body, excluding the arms.
- SADNESS: The chest and head. There is a decrease in the arms, legs, and feet.
- IRA: The upper half of the body and the arms. There is also some activation in the legs and feet.
- ASCO: The upper half of the body and the arms.
This study led them to believe that feelings can be classified as follows:
- Negative (unpleasant), such as anger, fear, anxiety, and shame.
- Positive (pleasant), such as happiness, love, and pride.
- Diseases.
- Homeostasis.
- Cognition.
They confirmed that in order to physically feel an emotion and name it, one must slow down. To do so, they recommend mindful body awareness.
Tanmaya George. Certified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner
“Feelings or fear can become frozen, causing us to experience numbness instead of sensations,” “This is related to trauma, and as we begin to heal, that trauma ‘melts away’ and the underlying sensations come to the surface.”
GEORGE TANMAYA
Connecting with our bodies and paying attention to where we feel those intense sensations is the best way to pinpoint an emotion.
Through Antigym®, you can get to know your body better and connect with it and your emotions.
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