S

Surprise

SurpriseNeutralHigh

A brief emotional state experienced upon something unexpected.

Example:

Being startled by a friend who sneaks up on you.

Valence-Arousal Position

Valence:Neutral
Arousal:High

Physiological Symptoms:

Cardio & Respiratory

gaspingheld breath

Musculoskeletal

raised eyebrowsopen mouthstartled jump

Cognitive

confusionshock

Visceral

stomach drop

Integumentary

widened eyes

Reflection Tip:

Notice if your surprise leans toward delight, fear, or confusion.

De-escalation Tip:

Take a moment to process before reacting further.

Self-Judgment Tip:

Surprise is your brain’s way of processing unexpected information. It’s okay to feel caught off guard—it shows you’re adaptable.

Normalization Tip:

Surprise engages your brain’s reward system when it’s positive, boosting dopamine levels. It’s a universal and adaptive response.

Sign in to view your analytics

Get personalized insights into your emotional patterns

Your Analytics

Reflection Timeline

11/6/202512/5/2025

Total Reflections

24

Average Intensity

6.8

Date Range

11/6/2025 - 12/6/2025

Intensity Distribution

1-3
4-6
7-9
10

Most Common Triggers

Work stress8 (33.3%)
Social situations6 (25%)
Family interactions5 (20.8%)
Unexpected events3 (12.5%)
Physical discomfort2 (8.3%)

Mood Impact

Improved8 (33%)
Worsened4 (17%)
Neutral12 (50%)

Time Patterns

Morning
Afternoon
Evening

Common Body Sensations

Tightness in chest (12)
Increased heart rate (8)
Muscle tension (6)
Shallow breathing (4)

Recurring Thought Patterns

Feeling judged or criticized10 times
Comparing self to others8 times
Ruminating on past events6 times

Coping Strategies Used

Deep breathing
8 timesEffectiveness: 7.2/10
Taking a walk
6 timesEffectiveness: 6.8/10
Talking to someone
5 timesEffectiveness: 7.5/10
Journaling
4 timesEffectiveness: 6.5/10

Locations (3 unique)

Home
12 reflectionsAvg intensity: 6.5
Office
8 reflectionsAvg intensity: 7.2
Public spaces
4 reflectionsAvg intensity: 5.8

People Interactions (2 people)

Friend8 interactions
Colleague6 interactions

Weather Patterns

Sunny: 10
Cloudy: 8
Rainy: 6

Unlock Premium

Get unlimited access to advanced analytics, AI insights, and personalized emotional intelligence tools.

  • Unlimited reflections
  • Advanced analytics
  • AI-powered insights
  • Privacy-first design
View Pricing

Free tier includes 50 reflections

Affect Labeling Questions

Delighted by something unexpected.
Momentarily shocked or startled.
Unsure or confused by what happened.
Disturbed by an unexpected negative event.
A mix of surprise and confusion.
A jolt of adrenaline.
Wide eyes and open mouth.
Rapid heartbeat and confusion.
Feeling unsure or disoriented.
A pleasant and unexpected event.
A sudden loud noise or quick motion.
An unexpected problem or bad news.
A mix of surprise and confusion.
Feeling unsure or disoriented.
Leads to a positive or delighted response.
Prompts a startled or shocked reaction.
Leads to confusion or disorientation.
Prompts a negative or disturbed reaction.
Leads to disbelief or skepticism.
A jolt of adrenaline.
Wide eyes and open mouth.
Rapid heartbeat and confusion.
Feeling unsure or disoriented.

Coping Strategies

Sound Therapy

Using music, nature sounds, or binaural beats to create a calming auditory atmosphere

Arousal
Valence

Color Therapy

Incorporating specific colors into your environment to evoke desired emotional states

Arousal
Valence

Mindful Movement

Engaging in gentle, intentional exercises such as yoga or Tai Chi in a calming environment

Arousal
Valence

Boundary Setting

Establishing clear physical and emotional limits to protect energy and well-being

Arousal
Valence

Seeking Social Support

Actively reaching out to others for help, guidance, or emotional support

Arousal
Valence

Substance Use

Using substances to numb or escape emotional discomfort

Arousal
Valence

Emotional Eating

Using food to cope with emotional distress

Arousal
Valence

Vocal Release

Using voice for emotional and physical release

Arousal
Valence

Chakra Balancing

Aligning the body's energy centers for emotional and physical well-being

Arousal
Valence

Related Emotions

Co-occurs with

Transitions to

Opposite of

Related Resources

Body Language Cues

Nonverbal signals commonly associated with this emotion