All our lives we experience certain emotions. If we notice that our sensitivity is reduced, we may yearn for the feeling of fullness of life that we previously felt when we were emotionally involved in it. Emotions make us understand what our relationship is with ourselves and with others, what we need, and motivate us to action. Let's see what functions emotions have. 1. Orientation in the situation Emotions arise as the body’s reaction to a change in the situation. They are accompanied by different bodily sensations. In this way we can distinguish one feeling from another. Emotions allow us to understand: - what has changed in the situation and what is our attitude towards what is happening - what we like and do not like about what is happening - whether we feel any excess or deficiency in this situation, of which we now have too little or too muchAlfried Längle spoke about it this way: Emotions are like our eyes. Sometimes the eyes have to see things we don't like. Other times our eyes see pleasant things. Emotions are a form of perception. And we need the ability to perceive just as much as the ability to see.2. Access to need Emotions provide information not only about the situation outside, but also about the current need inside. Every emotion contains an impulse to move, a charge for action. To understand what to do, you need to recognize what a feeling signals in a particular situation and what need is behind it. What needs may be hidden behind the feelings? Fear indicates a possible danger. Behind fear is the need for security. Sadness gives us the opportunity to mourn what did not happen, to understand how valuable what was lost was, to say goodbye. Anger arises when the situation does not suit us in some way. It gives energy for protection, as well as mastering new things. Powerlessness signals that we have encountered limitations that are beyond our capabilities. By recognizing powerlessness, by being sad about what we cannot change, we gain the opportunity to direct our energy to more effective actions that can really bring benefits. Joy allows us to enjoy, appropriate our successes, and be imbued with the good and valuable that we have3. Motivation Emotions motivate action. They give us the strength to change. In order to find ways to fulfill our needs, as well as to withstand frustration if the need could not be satisfied. It is not for nothing that evolution has left us with a rich palette of emotions - pleasant and unpleasant. Our task is to establish contact with our emotional sphere, and through it, with our needs and inner strengths. Then it will be easier for us to go through fear on the way to what we want. Accept the boredom that comes with some of our work, even if we love it. Find the determination to go into conflict, defending what we consider important and valuable. Give yourself the right to be sad in order to experience the loss, feel comfort and open up to new things.4. CommunicationEmotions are accompanied by nonverbal manifestations - facial expressions, gestures, posture, gaze, intonation, change in distance. This is how we let others understand what is happening to us. A smile will indicate that we can be approached, while an expression of anger on the face or in the voice will show the other that it is better to stay away from us now. To some extent, we can understand each other without words. Emotions help us better understand not only ourselves, but also others. When we notice the emotional state of our interlocutor, we can, by checking our own state, take appropriate actions. For example, if we see that a person is sad and we want to show concern, then we will come up and say: “How are you? It seems to me that you are upset about something. Will you share what happened?” This is how we develop, strengthen and deepen connections. Thus, good contact with our emotions helps us recognize ourselves and communicate more constructively with each other, build relationships and boundaries.