EMOMETER This activity will help you realize that emotions have varying degrees and that emotions are affected by your thoughts. Instructions: 1. Think of your favorite feeling. Is it excitement? amazement? surprise? Then think of a feeling that bothers you often. Is it anger? fear? disappointment? Choose one that you want to focus on in this activity. 2. Based on the chosen feeling, identify thoughts that come to your mind. 3. Write these thoughts in the box provided below. Align these thoughts with the corresponding intensity of your chosen feeling indicated by the emometer.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Chosen Feeling: Fear
EMOMETER Chart for Fear:
| Intensity Level | Thoughts That Come to Mind |
|---|---|
| Mild Fear | “What if I make a mistake?” |
| Moderate Fear | “I don’t think I’m ready for this.” |
| Strong Fear | “I’m sure something bad will happen.” |
| Overwhelming Fear | “I can’t handle this. I need to get out of here.” |
Explanation:
Emotions exist on a spectrum. They can range from light and manageable to intense and overwhelming. The “EMOMETER” helps us measure the degree or intensity of a specific emotion. For this activity, I chose the emotion fear, because it often affects my daily thinking and decision-making.
Fear is a natural response to a perceived threat. It can arise from both real and imagined dangers. What makes fear powerful is that it is fueled by our thoughts. For instance, a mild level of fear might come from a simple worry such as, “What if I make a mistake?” This thought shows uncertainty but not panic. It allows for caution and preparation.
As the intensity increases, so do the thoughts. At a moderate level, someone might think, “I don’t think I’m ready for this.” This shows self-doubt and a stronger emotional impact. The fear is still manageable but can lead to hesitation.
When fear becomes strong, thoughts like “I’m sure something bad will happen” begin to take over. These thoughts are often irrational but feel very real in the moment. They can block confidence and increase anxiety.
Finally, when fear becomes overwhelming, the mind may generate thoughts such as “I can’t handle this. I need to get out of here.” This level of fear can lead to panic attacks or avoidance behavior.
By identifying and writing down our thoughts at different levels of intensity, we become more aware of how emotions grow and how our thinking affects them. Understanding this connection is the first step toward managing emotions in a healthy way.
