Interoceptive Sense

Interoception is the ability to interpret feelings from the organs inside our bodies. This could be information like our heart beating fast or slowly, our stomach being full or empty or our skin being cold or hot. We can then use this information to understand what emotions we are feeling. This could be what is called a homeostatic emotion such as feeling hungry, thirsty, hot, cold or needing the toilet. It could also be what is called an affective emotion such as feeling angry, worried, sad or happy.

It is about noticing these feelings and then connecting them to what they might mean.

Some examples could be:

Feeling your stomach rumbling because you are hungry

Feeling your muscles tense because you are angry

Feeling your skin is wet and sweaty because you are too hot

Feeling your heart beat fast because you are scared