How do our Senses Inform our Feelings?

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Contents

Senses, Emotions and Feelings

The senses and emotions are tightly linked: what a person sees, hears, smells, tastes, and feels on the skin sends signals into the brain that help trigger and shape feelings. The body also sends signals back up from the inside (heart, stomach, muscles), and these signals are a big part of how feelings are actually experienced.

From senses to emotion

Every second, the senses feed the brain information about the world (light, sound, touch, smell, taste). The brain quickly checks: “Is this safe, dangerous, pleasant, or important?” and emotional centres like the amygdala help turn that raw input into reactions such as fear, disgust, calm, or interest.

Some senses, especially smell, have very direct links into emotion and memory areas in the brain, which is why a scent can suddenly bring back a strong feeling or vivid memory.

From body sensations to feelings

Emotions show up in the body as changes in heart rate, breathing, muscle tension, temperature, and “butterflies” or heaviness in the chest or stomach. People then notice these body signals and label them as feelings, such as “I feel anxious,” “I feel excited,” or “I feel sad and heavy.”

Studies mapping emotions on the body find that different feelings tend to be felt in different areas (for example, anger with heat and tension in the arms and chest; sadness with heaviness and low energy), so noticing where sensations are can help name what is being felt.

How sensory filtering affects mood

The brain constantly filters sensory input, turning down “background noise” and highlighting what seems important. When this filtering works well, a person feels regulated and can stay emotionally steady; when it fails and there is too much input (noise, light, touch), many people feel stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed.

Sensory overload can make feelings shoot up quickly (irritability, panic, exhaustion, overwhelm), while soothing sensory input (gentle sounds, calming sights, comforting touch) can help emotions settle.

Everyday examples

A loud bang (hearing) can trigger a jump and a flash of fear before there is time to think.
Soft music, warm light, or a favourite blanket (hearing, sight, touch) can ease tension and support feelings of safety and calm.
A particular perfume or food smell can suddenly bring back childhood memories and the feelings that went with them.

In short, senses provide the “raw data,” the body shows the reaction, and the mind turns this whole pattern into the emotions and feelings that guide everyday life.