The experience of positive emotions contains multicomponent response tendencies that last a short period of time (Fredrickson, 2001) and are defined by inner experiences that are both intense and pleasurable (Cabanac, 2002). Lets see a summary of key positive emotions and how are they understood.
AWE – An emotion that is evoked when you witness something grand, spectacular, or breathtaking, sparking a sense of overwhelming.
AFFECTION – An emotional expression to someone or something, accompanied by a liking for them and a sense of pleasure in their company.
ALTRUISM – Referred to as an act of selflessness and generosity toward others, but can also describe the feeling you get from helping others.
ADMIRATION – A feeling of warm approval, respect, and appreciation for someone or something.
AMUSEMENT – A feeling of light-hearted pleasure and enjoyment, often accompanied by smiles and easy laughter.
BLISS – Complete happiness.
ENJOYMENT – A feeling of taking pleasure in what is going on around you, especially in situations like a leisure activity or social gathering.
CHEERFULNESS – A feeling of brightness, being upbeat and noticeably happy and positive; feeling like everything is going your way.
CONFIDENCE – Emotion involving a strong sense of self-esteem and belief in yourself; can be specific to a situation or activity, or more universal.
CONTENTMENT – Peaceful, comforting, and low-key sense of happiness and well-being.
ENTHUSIASM – A sense of excitement, accompanied by motivation and engagement.
EAGERNESS – A less intense form of enthusiasm; a feeling of readiness and excitement for something.
ELEVATION – The feeling you get when you see someone engaging in an act of kindness, generosity, or inner goodness, spurring you to aspire to similar action.
EUPHORIA – Intense and the all-encompassing sense of joy or happiness, often experienced when something extremely positive and exciting happens.
GRATITUDE – A feeling of thankfulness, for something specific or simply all-encompassing, often accompanied by humility and even reverence.
HAPPINESS – A feeling of pleasure and contentment in the way things are going; a general sense of enjoyment of and enthusiasm for life.
HOPE – A feeling of optimism and anticipation about a positive future.
INTEREST – A feeling of curiosity or fascination that demands, attracts, and captures your attention.
INSPIRATION – Feeling engaged, uplifted, and motivated by something you witnessed or experienced.
JOY – A sense of elation, happiness, and perhaps even exhilaration, often experienced as a sudden spike due to something good happening.
LOVE – The strongest of all positive emotions, love is a feeling of deep and enduring affection for someone, along with a willingness to put their needs ahead of your own; it can be directed toward an individual, a group of people, or even all humanity.
OPTIMISM – Positive and hopeful emotion that encourages you to look forward to a bright future, one in which you believe that things will mostly work out.
RELIEF – The feeling of happiness you experience when an uncertain situation turns out for the best or a negative outcome is avoided.
SATISFACTION – A sense of pleasure and contentment you get from accomplishing something or fulfilling a need.
SERENITY – A calm and peaceful feeling of complete acceptance of oneself and situational context.
SURPRISE (the positive ones!) – A sense of delight when someone brings you unexpected happiness or a situation goes even better than you had hoped.
