Common Triggers
- →Unexpected noises
- →Surprising news
- →Witnessing something extraordinary
- →Coincidences
- →Magical moments
- →Encountering mysteries
Physical Sensations
- •Racing heart
- •Wide eyes
- •Open mouth
- •Momentary freeze
- •Raised eyebrows
- •Jolt or jump
Plutchik's Emotion Wheel
surprise
orientation / attention
Working with This Emotion
Recognize
Astonishment can be recognized by physical sensations like a sudden jolt, wide eyes, and an open mouth. You might feel your heart race or experience a momentary freeze. Facial expressions often include raised eyebrows and a dropped jaw. Behavioral signs include jumping, gasping, or exclaiming in surprise.
Understand
Astonishment is commonly triggered by unexpected events, such as sudden noises, surprising news, or witnessing something extraordinary. It can also arise from coincidences, magical moments, or encountering mysteries that challenge your understanding of the world.
Label
To label astonishment accurately, focus on its high intensity and neutral valence. Distinguish it from similar emotions like surprise (which is less intense) and fear (which has a negative valence). Words like 'amazed,' 'flabbergasted,' and 'dumbfounded' can help you pinpoint this specific emotion.
Express
Healthy ways to express astonishment include sharing your experience with others, writing about it in a journal, or engaging in activities that celebrate the unexpected. You might also take a moment to appreciate the novelty of the situation and reflect on what it means to you.
Regulate
To regulate astonishment, try deep breathing exercises to calm your nervous system. Grounding techniques, such as focusing on physical sensations or objects around you, can help bring you back to the present. If the intensity is overwhelming, take a break and engage in a calming activity like walking or listening to soothing music.
Co-occurring Emotions
Emotions that frequently appear alongside astonishment, based on the NRC Emotion Lexicon.
Associated Words
Words associated with astonishment from the NRC Emotion Lexicon.
Using Inner
Using Inner, you can track patterns of astonishment by journaling about when and where it occurs. Pay attention to physical sensations like a racing heart or wide eyes. Explore what triggers this emotion and how it affects your behavior. Over time, you can develop strategies to regulate your response, such as deep breathing or grounding techniques, to help manage the intensity.
Try Inner for FreeSources & References
- —RULER Framework (Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence)
- —Plutchik's Wheel of Emotions
- —Geneva Emotion Wheel
- —Lisa Feldman Barrett - How Emotions Are Made
Related Content
Surprise
A feeling of mild astonishment caused by something unexpected.
Awe
A feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder.
Disbelief
Inability or refusal to accept that something is true.
Projection
Attributing one's own unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or motives to another person.
The Self
The archetype of wholeness and the regulating center of the psyche.