It may not be a coincidence that all seven of the deadly sins are also emotions: human beings have been wrestling with emotions for millennia. However, it is important for you to be aware of the entire range of emotions, so that you can cope with them effectively and in a healthy fashion. According to HolisticMindBodyHealing.com, emotions can be classified as primary or secondary. Your primary emotions are basic survival and adaptation instincts, in response to immediate threats or stimuli. All other emotions emanate from these primary emotions.
Fear
Although we usually think of fear as a negative emotion, it actually serves a very helpful purpose. According to ChangingMinds.org, fear is a natural response designed to deter you from situations or actions that could be harmful. Fear can either be prompted by an immediate physical threat or by a danger we perceive or anticipate. Acute fear is usually accompanied by physical responses like muscular tension, rapid heartbeat or difficulty breathing. Fear can also manifest itself as a less intense, more chronic type of anxiety.
Desire
According to ChangingMinds.org, desire is the opposite of fear, in that it seeks to gain something, while fear seeks to avoid or repel something. Desire might be subtle and mild, or intense and obsessive. While thwarted desire might lead to anger or envy, a fulfilled desire often leads you to cease wanting what once was craved so passionately. ChangingMinds.org reports that desire can be manipulated through "teasing," such as when a sale item is available only for a limited time. This is called the scarcity principle.
Happiness
Happiness is an emotion that is generated when you feel you're attaining your goals or expect to achieve these goals in the near future. According to ChangingMinds.org, happiness can also be enhanced through upbeat music, happy memories and positive words. When you read words like exciting or wonderful, they tend to lead to an elevated mood. On a physical level, happiness is prompted by the production of serotonin in the brain, ChangingMinds.org reports. For this reason, there is a class of antidepressants designed to increase serotonin.
Anger
Considered one of the least pleasant emotions, anger nevertheless aids you in survival. ChangingMinds.org reports that anger is a defense against an attack against the self or loved ones, and also enables you to power through obstacles to your short-term desires. Anger can, however, be hazardous because it often manifests as challenging behavior. It may place us in harm's way. Another potential drawback of anger is that you might repress or displace it in ways that are harmful to ourselves or others.
