The Psychology Of Excitement
When is the last time you feel excited ?
When is the last time you anticipate something that is novel, unique and desirable ?
Well there are some times in our life when we really feel excited. We feel inspired and motivated. We feel on the cloud nine. And this excitement gives us a rush of adrenaline.
Isn’t it?
Yes, the feeling of excitement gives us hope, clarity about life and sense of purpose.
Understanding the concept of excitement
Excitement is a feeling or situation full of activity, joy, exhilaration, or upheaval. It can be described in terms like action, passion, thrill, enthusiasm, and warmth.
Excitement is always good because it enhance memory and attention leading to more effective learning. It can make us more motivated to act on something.
Excitement is a powerful emotion that can significantly impact how we think and act. In fact, excitement is one of the positive emotion that is often associated with feelings of anticipation, joy, and enthusiasm.
There are different types of excitement such as social excitement, achievement excitement, and sensory excitement depending on the source of stimulation.
For example, you can experience social excitement during a party or a social event, achievement excitement when you accomplish a goal, or win a competition, and sensory excitement through the sense, such as seeing a beautiful scenery.
Excitement is the feeling when you expect something good or nice will happen to you. You cannot wait for it to happen. You are experiencing eagerness and impatience in expectation of the upcoming pleasant experience. Excitement is more likely when the anticipated experience is both novel or unique and desirable.
It is especially intense if you have been waiting for a long time to obtain the goal, or when excitement is shared with other people and the event makes you feel like you are part of something bigger.
Neuroscience of excitement
Excitement is mental but it affects the whole body.
Originally, a sense of excitement begins in the brain just like any other emotion. When your brain identify an opportunity, the hypothalamus (part of brain) controls physical arousal, the prefrontal cortex appraises the cortex to assign a positive value, and dopamine pathways boost attention, motivation, and memory. The activation of the sympathetic nervous system release adrenaline which in turn increase heart rate, blood pressure, perspiration and breathing rate.
Excitement is temporary. It takes 20 minutes for the power of excitement to pass.
Excitement makes people more likely to act. When a person is excited, their emotions become more powerful and can affect their decision-making abilities. Excited people are more likely to make fast decisions.
Excitement leads to impulsivity. It is a state of being emotionally aroused and worked up. It is a feeling of lively and cheerful joy.
Expectations play a key role in excitement. You need to be certain that the upcoming event will happen and it will be somehow pleasant.
The evolutionary function of excitement may be to promote exploratory behavior. It causes you to focus your attention on something good that will be in the future, so you don’t miss the opportunity. Another function of excitement may be to shift your focus from potential risks to the potential benefits of anticipated events.
So, next time when you feel excited, consider yourself ready for improving performance for betterment of life.
Also Check : The Power Of Visualisation : See It Before It Happens
Disclaimer : The purpose of this blog is to create emotional health awareness. This information is not a replacement for medical treatment or counseling therapy.
