Feelings and emotions are almost identical in context. However, there are subtle differences. A feeling is a bodily sensation. If you stub your toe, you feel pain. Emotions are involuntary physical responses to events in life. A blush, a laugh, an in- creased heart rate, and tears are all examples of emotional reactions. An emotion may be fleeting or it may remain for days, or even years. The ability to feel enables a person to identify an emotion as something that is either positive or negative. It is when an individual represses an undesirable emotion (such as hidden anger, guilt, or self-hatred) that psychological damage can occur. It is extremely stressful to keep the lid on emotions. Acknowledging your emotions and working your way through them will free up your brain for healthier pursuits.