Some researchers believe emotions guide us in facing situations and challenges too important to leave to intellect alone. Often, your physical reactions give you important clues to the how you are feeling. Paul Ekman, of the University of California at San Francisco, says three emotions are recognized by people in cultures around the world. They are:

• Anger
• Fear
• Sadness

If you find yourself in a situation where your head pounds, your heart races, and you feel more and more tense and hot, you are probably angry. When you are angry your heart rate increases and a rush of hormones, such as adrenaline, energize you for vigorous action.

If you are in a situation where you feel tense, your heart is pounding, your palms are sweating, and you feel cold, you are probably experiencing fear.


Sadness brings a drop in energy, slows metabolism and leads to introspective withdrawal. Sadness organizes us to stop, think, and weigh our losses, allowing time for grief.

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