Positive Feelings (A complete guide)
By
OptimistMinds
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The Optimistminds editorial team is made up of psychologists, psychiatrists and mental health professionals. Each article is written by a team member with exposure to and experience in the subject matter. The article then gets reviewed by a more senior editorial member. This is someone with extensive knowledge of the subject matter and highly cited published material.
This blog aims to provide you with a list of positive feelings.
Positive feelings are the feelings that are free from negativity and makes an individual feel good, pleasant, and satisfied.
Before we move on to the list of positive feelings, let’s have an overview of why do we need positive feelings.
Why Do You Need Positive Feelings?
Positive feelings hold great significance.
You need positive feelings because they make you feel contented, satisfied, and energized, encourages you and provide you with energy to do things. Positive feelings make life easier and help improve relationships.
Empirical evidence has also proven the benefits of positive feelings.
Some research-based benefits of positive feelings are as follows:
- Positive feelings help increase performance cognitive task by encouraging us and not distracting us as negative emotions do (Iordan & Dolcos, 2017).
- Positive emotions activate the reinforcing system of the brain, lowers down the release of the stress hormone, and improves well being (Ricard, Lutz, & Davidson, 2014).
- Positive emotions play a major role in broadening are reasons and increasing the scope of the brain to focus (Fredrickson, 2001).
Positive Feelings
The following is a list of positive emotions and feelings that we commonly experience in our daily lives.
Among the following emotions and feelings, not all words represent emotions but they are used by individuals to describe their feelings and emotions.
Joy
Joy is a sense of instant elation that is experienced by individuals when something good happens.
Gratitude
Gratitude is the sense of appreciation or a feeling of thankfulness which is often accompanied by humility.
Serenity
This feeling is associated with calmness and relaxation resulting from the acceptance of self.
Interest
Feeling of curiosity to learn or explore something which catches your attention.
Hope
It is a positive feeling associated with anticipation about a positive future. You should always tell yourself that you’re feeling strong.
Pride
It is associated with self-acceptance and happiness in one’s own success, skill, or personality trait.
Amusement
It is a feeling of lighthearted happiness and joy, mostly associated with smiles and laughter.
Inspiration
It is a feeling of being encouraged after seeing, listening, or witnessing something.
Awe
Awe is a positive feeling triggered by witnessing something grand or magnificent that initiates a sense of overwhelming appreciation.
Elevation
This positive feeling aspires you to do something when you see others being kind or generous.
Altruism
Altruism is referred to as being helpful or generous towards others.
Satisfaction
It is a sense of contentment when you achieve your goals or meet your needs.
Relief
A positive feeling which is experienced when something unpleasant transforms into a good or the best thing.
Affection
It is a feeling of being emotionally attached to someone in a positive way.
Cheerfulness
It is a positive feeling associated with happiness and a feeling that everything happening is in your favor.
Surprise (in a good sense)
A positive feeling triggered when you witness something unexpected or when something happens beyond your expectations.
Confidence
When you feel boosted and encouraged to do something.
Admiration
It is a feeling of being accepted, honored, and appreciated.
Enthusiasm
Enthusiasm is associated with feeling excited, encouraged, and engaged in work.
Eagerness
It is a little less intense than enthusiasm. It is referred to as feeling is excitement.
Euphoria
Feeling experienced by you when you feel extremely happy or when something positive happens.
Contentment
It is a feeling characterized by peace, comfort, well-being, and happiness.
Enjoyment
It is a feeling experienced by you when you feel pleased or happy about what is happening around you.
Gratitude
Gratitude is the sense of appreciation or a feeling of thankfulness which is often accompanied by humility.
Serenity
This feeling is associated with calmness and relaxation resulting from the acceptance of self.
Interest
Feeling of curiosity to learn or explore something which catches your attention.
Hope
It is a positive feeling associated with a perceived positive future.
It is a positive feeling associated with a positive outlook on life. It encourages you to expect positive in every situation.
Happiness
It is the feeling of being pleased and content with what is happening.
Love
Love is referred to as the strongest positive emotion that encompasses all other positive emotions. It is a feeling of being affectionate for someone and thinking about others before yourself.
Attraction
It is a sense of being pulled towards someone or something.
Bold and Daring
A sense of encouragement, bravery, and fearlessness.
Blissful
It is referred to as a state of intense satisfaction.
Compassion
It is referred to as being understanding or empathetic towards self or others.
Empowerment
A positive feeling experienced when you feel encouraged or empowered to do something.
Freedom
A positive feeling of being independent, liberal, or self-determined.
Forgiveness
An emotion that enables you to let go of hurtful things and forgive people who did bad to you.
Goodwill
The feeling experienced by you when you do good for someone or hope for good to happen with the other person.
Recommended Books
The following are some recommended books which you can read to increase your knowledge about positive feelings and how you can develop them.
These books are a good source of eradicating negativity and developing positivity.
Just click the book you wish to study and you will be redirected to the page from where you can access it.
- Daily Inspiration: From Kathy Henn (Positive Feelings Series Book 11) Book 11 of 24: Positive Feelings Series | by Kathy Henn
- Excuse Me, Your Life Is Waiting: The Power of Positive Feelings by Lynn Grabhorn | Jul 1, 2005
- No Hard Feelings: The Secret Power of Embracing Emotions at Work by Liz Fosslien and Mollie West Duffy
- Positive Psychology: The Scientific and Practical Explorations of Human Strengths (NULL) by Shane J. Lopez, Jennifer Teramoto Pedrotti, et al.
- Positive Ninja: A Children’s Book About Mindfulness and Managing Negative Emotions and Feelings (Ninja Life Hacks) Book 3 of 15: Ninja Life Hacks | by Mary Nhin and Jelena Stupar | Nov 18, 2019
What are some positive feelings?
Positive feelings are referred to as a feeling which lacks negativity, pain, or discomfort.
According to Fredrickson (2009), there are 10 most common positive emotions.
These include joy, gratitude, serenity, interest, hope, pride, amusement, inspiration, awe, and love.
What are the 7 positive emotions?
The 7 positive emotions include love, desire, faith, sex, enthusiasm, romance, and hope.
What are the positive and negative feelings?
Emotions that make you feel good produces positive feelings. For example happiness, joy, interest, commitment, love, and gratitude.
On the other hand, emotions that make you feel sad or bad lead to negative feelings.
For example anger, jealousy, criticism, fear, and rejection.
What is the most positive emotion?
The most positive emotion is love which encompasses other positive emotions such as joy, gratitude, serenity, interest, hope, pride, amusement, inspiration, and even awe.
How do you recognize your emotions?
Emotions can be recognized in various ways.
Some ways to identify emotions include examining your physical responses, identifying your feel, avoiding judgment, being still, writing, talking to someone, music, and daily reflection.
What are some examples of negative emotions?
Some examples of negative emotions include anger, annoyance, sadness, guilt, fear and anxiety, discouragement and despair, apathy and disappointment and frustration.
This brief blog aimed to provide you with a list of positive emotions.
The blog mentioned some of the most experienced positive emotions wit their little descriptions to help you acknowledge when these emotions and feelings are experienced.
If you have any queries or questions regarding this blog, let us know through your comments.
We will be glad to assist you.
References
How to Create and Experience Positive Feelings by Remez Sasson
Positive Emotions: A List of 26 Examples & Definition in Psychology by Courtney E. Ackerman (2020)
What are Positive and Negative Emotions and Do We Need Both? by Courtney E. Ackerman (2020)
Positive Emotions List (37 Positive Feelings Plus a PDF)
10 Common Positive Emotions Beyond Happiness
List of Top 20 Positive Feelings and Emotions
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