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Why Are Emotions Unpredictable?
The connection between sleep, psychology, and physiology.
Emotions are complex psychological states that involve SUBJECTIVE experience, physiological response, and behavioral patterns. They are essential in shaping our daily interactions, decision-making, and well-being. They can be immediate and noticeable or manifest subtly, influencing our moods and perceptions without clear causation.
As a football player, I’ve noticed an intriguing pattern regarding my emotional state during games. Despite starting the day with a clear and happy mind, my emotions on the pitch can fluctuate unpredictably. Sometimes, I find myself irritable over minor things, while at other times, I thoroughly enjoy the game regardless of the score. This observation led me to a conscious exploration of how my morning mood might influence my emotions during the game.
I began to monitor my mood from the moment I woke up on days when I planned to play football. This self-observation revealed a consistent trend: the emotional state I experienced upon waking often mirrored the emotions I exhibited on the field and it seemed immaterial if my mood shifted in the interim period between waking up and arriving at the venue. Without this conscious awareness, it was easy to lose track of how I transitioned into certain emotional states while playing and in other aspects of my life.
