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The 3 Functions of Emotions

Kristine Dewar, M.A., R.P., C.C.C.
Feb 28
2 min read

How exactly do emotions work for us?

  1. Emotions help us to non-verbally communicate our feelings.We can tell the tell-tale signs of emotion by: the look on the face of our partner if they had a bad day at work, the quiver of our two year old's little chin when on the verge of tears, the heaviness of grief in someone's eyes, the look of terror that is captured when riding a roller coaster (you'll never see that on my face, ha-ha!) or the universal look of joy when someone is wholeheartedly laughing. We wear our emotions in our body language, tone, facial expression and posture, and we can learn to put trust in our non-verbal expressions and those of others around us.

  2. Emotions prepare us for action.Undoubtedly, our emotions will produce an action urge and we are motivated to act on them. At times, this can work for us (the tears that follow feeling sad, hugging someone when we feel happy) and other times the behaviour that follows an emotion we can live to regret (sending a nasty text when we're angry.) Emotional regulation becomes an important part of learning how to manage our action urges so that the emotion and behaviour can work together for optimum success.

  3. Emotions give us valuable information about ourselves. When we tune in to how we are feeling, our emotions can be self-validating, they can serve as a signal that something is wrong and they can help us to find words to how we are feeling. It becomes about listening to our gut. 

Defining both emotion and it's functions can allow us to move towards a greater understanding of how our feelings are hard-wired into our amazing, complex system of mind and body; ready to work efficiently for us if given the opportunity. :) Photo by Mark Daynes on Unsplash

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Land Acknowledgement

The West Champlain Family Health Team acknowledges it is located upon the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin People and respects the traditional knowledge and healing developed over generations. We have the privilege and responsibility to serve First Nations, Inuit, and Métis of many backgrounds and from many treaty and non-treaty lands and territories, and to demonstrate respect for the contributions and cultures of Indigenous Peoples.

 

Iye West Champlain Family Health Team ogíkikenindánáwá taniziwadj ondaje Algonquin Anishinábe tanakíwin ega ka mígiwewadj iyo kichi Anishinábewakí ashidj odapítenindánáwá kikádjichigewin ashidj mino nódjimowin ka pamíkán pinawígo. Nínawind d’ayánánán shawenimigoziwin ashidj inenindágoziwin kidji wídókáwadag Anishinábeg, Abitawizíg ashidj Kíwedinóg máneg wendjibáwadj ashidj níbina nakondiwin ashidj ega akíng ashidj tanakíwinan ashidj kidji wábandayá apítenindagoziwin ondji ka mígiwewadj ashidj pimádjiwowinan ogo Anishinábeg Pemádizidjig.

 

The West Champlain Family Health Team is grateful to the Indigenous Health Circle (which works in collaboration with The Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn and the Ottawa Valley Ontario Health Team) for sharing a meaningful land acknowledgement both in English and Omámíwininímowin (the Algonquin Anishinábe language), which is the basis of our own.

© 2023 by West Champlain FHT

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