Mapping Emotions in My Body
Connecting physical sensations to emotional awareness
Mapping Emotions in My Body
Connecting physical sensations to emotional awareness
Mapping Emotions in My Body
Connecting physical sensations to emotional awareness
Emotions are not just mental experiences -- they produce distinct patterns of physical sensation throughout the body. A landmark study by Nummenmaa et al. (2014) mapped bodily sensations across 14 emotions and found remarkably consistent activation patterns across cultures. For example, anger tends to concentrate in the chest and hands, sadness in the chest and throat, and anxiety in the stomach and chest. By learning to notice where emotions show up in your body, you develop interoceptive awareness -- a skill strongly linked to better emotion regulation (Price & Hooven, 2018).
For each emotion listed below, describe where in your body you typically feel it, what the sensation is like (e.g., tightness, warmth, heaviness, tingling), and how intense it usually feels (1 = barely noticeable, 10 = very strong).
| Emotion | Where I Feel It in My Body | What the Sensation Feels Like | Intensity (1-10) |
|---|---|---|---|
Related General Worksheets
View all General→Authoring Your Personal Narrative
A Three-Chapter Framework for Self-Understanding and Growth
GeneralBenefit-Finding Reflection Exercise
A positive psychology practice for cultivating optimism through everyday challenges
GeneralClinical Self-Harm Screening Guide
A structured framework for assessing non-suicidal self-injury
Common Questions
What is the Mapping Emotions in My Body worksheet?
Emotions are not just mental experiences -- they produce distinct patterns of physical sensation throughout the body. A landmark study by Nummenmaa et al. (2014) mapped bodily sensations across 14 emotions and found remarkably consistent activation patterns across cultures.
How do I use the Mapping Emotions in My Body worksheet?
Fill out this worksheet digitally or print it for use in session. You can save your progress with a Pro account. Take your time with each column — there are no right or wrong answers.
Is the Mapping Emotions in My Body worksheet free?
Yes. Like every worksheet on Therapy Resource, it is free to read, print, and download as a PDF — no account required. A Pro subscription adds online filling with saved progress, practice-branded PDF exports, and secure client sharing.
Can I fill out the Mapping Emotions in My Body worksheet online?
Yes — switch the worksheet to "Type on Screen" mode to fill in the fields directly in your browser before printing. Pro members can also save their entries across sessions and export the completed worksheet as a branded PDF.
Use this worksheet professionally
Pro members can fill worksheets online, save progress, customize content, share with clients, and export branded PDFs.
Try Pro free for 7 days →