Common Triggers
- →Witnessing acts of cruelty or violence
- →Discovering unethical behavior
- →Encountering offensive smells or sights
- →Learning about moral transgressions by trusted individuals
- →Feeling betrayed by someone close
- →Experiencing a violation of personal values
Physical Sensations
- •Nausea
- •Tightness in the chest
- •Stomach churning
- •Wrinkled nose
- •Sweaty palms
- •Increased heart rate
Plutchik's Emotion Wheel
Working with This Emotion
Recognize
Revulsion often manifests as a strong feeling of disgust, accompanied by physical sensations like nausea, tightness in the chest, and a desire to move away. Facial expressions may include a wrinkled nose and narrowed eyes. Behavioral signs can include avoiding eye contact or physically distancing oneself.
Understand
Common causes of revulsion include encountering morally reprehensible behavior, witnessing cruelty, or being exposed to offensive stimuli. It often arises when our values are violated or when we feel a strong need to protect ourselves from perceived threats.
Label
To precisely label revulsion, consider the intensity and specific triggers. Distinguish it from similar emotions like disgust (which is more about physical aversion) or contempt (which involves a sense of superiority). Revulsion is characterized by a deep loathing and a strong urge to distance oneself.
Express
Healthy ways to express revulsion include setting clear boundaries, communicating your feelings assertively, and seeking support from trusted friends or professionals. Engaging in activities that align with your values can also help you process and channel this emotion constructively.
Regulate
Strategies to regulate revulsion include deep breathing exercises to calm the body, mindfulness practices to observe and accept the emotion without judgment, and cognitive reframing to challenge irrational thoughts. Grounding techniques like focusing on physical sensations or engaging in a calming activity can also be helpful.
Co-occurring Emotions
Emotions that frequently appear alongside revulsion, based on the NRC Emotion Lexicon.
Associated Words
Words associated with revulsion from the NRC Emotion Lexicon.
Using Inner
Using Inner, you can track patterns of revulsion by journaling when and where it arises. Pay attention to physical sensations like nausea or tightness in the chest. Explore why certain triggers evoke such strong reactions and consider healthier ways to express your feelings, such as setting boundaries or seeking support.
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
Disgust
A feeling of revulsion or strong disapproval.
Contempt
The feeling that a person or thing is worthless or beneath consideration.
Projection
Attributing one's own unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or motives to another person.
The Shadow
The unconscious aspect of personality containing rejected or repressed qualities.
Snake
A serpent, often representing transformation, healing, or hidden fears.
Secure Base Effect
The sense of safety and confidence that comes from knowing a reliable attachment figure is available.