The Emotion-Need Connection
Understanding what our feelings tell us about our unmet needs
How Emotions and Needs Connect
Emotions are not just feelings - they're messengers carrying important information about our needs. When we understand this connection, we can respond to our emotions more effectively and take meaningful action to care for ourselves.
What Emotions Signal
Emotions alert us when something important is happening. Pleasant emotions often signal that our needs are being met, while uncomfortable emotions typically indicate unmet needs or threats to our wellbeing.
Why This Matters
When we understand the needs behind our emotions, we can take targeted action to address what's really going on, rather than just trying to manage or suppress the feeling itself.
Common Emotion-Need Connections
Exploring Your Emotion-Need Connections
How to Use This Section
Think of recent emotions you've experienced. For each one, explore the context, identify the underlying need, and consider what action might help meet that need.
Common Human Needs Reference
Click on needs that resonate with you or that you notice coming up frequently in your emotions: