Emotions are complex behavioral responses. Their identification requires the ability not only to observe one’s own responses but also to describe accurately the context in which the emotion occurs. Thus, learning to identify an emotional response is aided enormously if one can observe and describe the even prompting the emotion; the interpretations of the event that prompt the emotions; the phenomenological experience, including the physical sensation, of the emotion, the behaviors expressing the emotion; and the aftereffects of the emotion on other types of functioning.
Happiness is one of many emotions. Other emotions include: anger, joy, sadness, love, shame, fear, contentment, and a long list of other emotions.
Emotions are one of two types of information. Rationale is the other. Together we use them to form wise decisions.
This is part of the teaching within Dialectical Behavioral Treatment. This concepts are used to rehab maladaptive thinking and behavior.
Emotions are used to communicate and influence others. Emotions organize and motivate action. Emotions can be self-validating and therefore when carried to an extreme and treated as facts they can become an impediment to optimal functioning.
Reducing emotionality is a skill base that relies on treating physical illness, eating nutritionally well balanced meals, avoiding mood altering substances, getting enough sleep on a regular schedule, getting exercise, and build mastery by setting goals and doing things that make us feel competent. When these things aren’t occuring we are unlikely to experience a sense of well-being and the emotions associated with that. We may experience emotional lability.
Someone here mentioned forced smiling to alter emotion. That’s not really accurate. Forced fake smiling has an effect of making us feel worse. Opposite to emotion action means doing something entirely different than forced faking it. Opposite to emotion action could mean putting a pencil between your teeth and biting down lightly on it. This creates a very small mona lisa type of smile which is neither forced nor fake and causes a feedback loop in the brain releasing some neurotransmitters that make one feel better. Another opposite to emotion exercise is to do what you are afraid of doing over and over. For example asking people out or getting up and speaking in front of groups. When sad or depressed you may want to get active, and involved instead of giving in to thoughts of isolatig. When angry you may want to try having empathy for the other person instead of attacking or attempt to do something nice for them instead of being mean or gently avoid them instead of attacking.