All the feels: Identify what you're feeling and how to process it
We all have feelings.
At any given moment, we can go from joy to anger, despair or sadness and then bounce back to happiness. We’re designed to be emotionally resilient.
Most of us are not comfortable with our feelings. We learn to suppress our emotions almost as soon as we can communicate. However, denying your emotions only causes them to build up. This can lead to physical issues ranging from sleep problems and decreased immune function to heart disease and chronic illness. At the same time, expressing everything you feel could also be detrimental.
What is the right balance of expressing feelings in the moment versus suppressing them to deal with later? Each person’s balance is different. One thing is for certain: You must know how to identify what you’re feeling to deal with it.
That's where the coping guide is useful. It helps you dial beyond your initial feeling of, for example, anger. Is your anger related to annoyance or resentment? The guide offers you helpful suggestions for each variation of feeling. It helps you recognize, address and manage your feelings.
Try our coping guide below whenever you're not sure what you're feeling or what to do with it. It can help you name and process your emotions and help you feel better.
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Sources
Linder, Jason N., PsyD. Pitfalls of Suppressing Emotions and Pros of Processing Them. Psychology Today (Mindfulness Insights). Posted March 5, 2024.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/mindfulness-insights/202312/pitfalls-of-suppressing-emotions-and-pros-of-processing-them
Accessed April 6, 2026. [psychologytoday.com]Moran, D. J., PhD. The Emotion Wheel. Psychology Today (Commit). Posted November 26, 2024.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/commit/202411/the-emotion-wheel
Accessed April 6, 2026. [psychologytoday.com]Travers, Mark, PhD. 2 Ways the “Wheel of Emotions” Can Emotionally Empower You. Psychology Today (Social Instincts). Posted May 28, 2024.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/social-instincts/202405/2-ways-the-wheel-of-emotions-can-emotionally-empower-you
Accessed April 6, 2026. [psychologytoday.com]
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This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.