Free printable

Feelings List

796 words for what you feel, sorted into 22 categories. Plus a body map of 243 physical sensations, organized by where you feel them.

Jump to the body map

Free to use. Print it, copy it, hand it out, put it in a worksheet, use it with clients, students, or your own kids. No permission needed and no sign-up. A link back to this page is appreciated, never required.

Fear & Anxiety 65

Afraid
Alarmed
Anticipatory
Anxious
Apprehensive
Avoidant
Braced
Breathless
Cautious
Claustrophobic
Clenched
Concerned
Cornered
Distressed
Distrustful
Disturbed
Dread
Dreading
Edgy
Fearful
Fidgety
Frantic
Frozen
Guarded
Haunted
Helpless
Hypervigilant
Hysterical
Insecure
Intimidated
Jittery
Jumpy
Nervous
On edge
On guard
Panicked
Panicky
Paralyzed
Paranoid
Petrified
Powerless
Rattled
Scared
Shaken
Shell-shocked
Spooked
Startled
Suspicious
Tense
Terrified
Threatened
Timid
Tormented
Traumatized
Trembling
Triggered
Troubled
Uneasy
Unnerved
Unprepared
Unsafe
Vigilant
Vulnerable
Wary
Worried

Anger 62

Aggravated
Aggressive
Agitated
Angry
Annoyed
Antagonistic
Argumentative
Belligerent
Bitter
Brooding
Combative
Contemptuous
Cranky
Defensive
Defiant
Disdainful
Disgruntled
Displeased
Enraged
Envious
Exasperated
Explosive
Fed up
Fiery
Frustrated
Fuming
Furious
Grouchy
Grumpy
Hostile
Impatient
Incensed
Indignant
Irate
Irritable
Irritated
Jealous
Livid
Mad
Offended
Outraged
Petulant
Prickly
Provoked
Rage
Rageful
Reactive
Resentful
Revengeful
Righteous
Seething
Short-tempered
Smug
Spiteful
Stewing
Sulky
Sullen
Surly
Ticked off
Vengeful
Vindictive
Volatile

Sadness 59

Aching
Agonized
Anguished
Beaten
Bleak
Blue
Brittle
Brokenhearted
Choked up
Crushed
Damaged
Dark
Defeated
Deflated
Dejected
Demoralized
Depressed
Despairing
Desperate
Despondent
Devastated
Diminished
Disappointed
Discouraged
Disheartened
Down
Downcast
Downhearted
Fragile
Gloomy
Grief
Grieving
Gutted
Heartbroken
Heartsick
Heavy
Heavy-hearted
Hopeless
Hurt
Inconsolable
Joyless
Low
Melancholic
Miserable
Morose
Mournful
Pained
Pessimistic
Raw
Sad
Self-pitying
Shattered
Solemn
Sorrowful
Tearful
Unfulfilled
Unsatisfied
Weepy
Wounded

Grief & Longing 33

Abandoned
Adrift
Alienated
Bereaved
Bereft
Bittersweet
Clingy
Cut off
Deserted
Desolate
Displaced
Estranged
Forgotten
Forlorn
Hollow
Homesick
Isolated
Left behind
Left out
Lonely
Longing
Lost
Needy
Neglected
Nostalgic
Pining
Reclusive
Sentimental
Solitary
Unmoored
Untethered
Wistful
Yearning

Shame & Guilt 36

Abashed
Ashamed
Broken
Burdensome
Defective
Dirty
Disgraced
Embarrassed
Exposed
Flawed
Fraudulent
Guilty
Humbled
Humiliated
Inadequate
Incompetent
Ineffective
Inferior
Inhibited
Mortified
Pitied
Regretful
Remorseful
Self-blaming
Self-conscious
Self-critical
Self-loathing
Shame
Small
Tainted
Undeserving
Unforgivable
Unlovable
Unworthy
Useless
Worthless

Disgust 14

Appalled
Contaminated
Disgusted
Grossed out
Horrified
Nauseated
Put off
Queasy
Repelled
Repulsed
Revolted
Sickened
Squeamish
Turned off

Contempt & Malice 51

Arrogant
Baleful
Begrudging
Belittling
Calculating
Callous
Catty
Cold-hearted
Condescending
Contrary
Controlling
Covetous
Cruel
Cynical
Disapproving
Dismissive
Domineering
Entitled
Gloating
Hateful
Holding a grudge
Intolerant
Judgmental
Loathing
Malevolent
Malicious
Manipulative
Mean
Misanthropic
Mocking
Passive-aggressive
Petty
Pitying
Punishing
Ruthless
Sadistic
Sarcastic
Schadenfreude
Scheming
Scornful
Self-righteous
Sneering
Snide
Stubborn
Superior
Uncaring
Unforgiving
Unsympathetic
Venomous
Vicious
Withholding

Numb & Disconnected 46

Aloof
Apathetic
Blank
Blocked
Bored
Checked out
Closed off
Cold
Dazed
Dead inside
Desensitized
Detached
Disconnected
Disoriented
Distant
Drifting
Dull
Empty
Flat
Floaty
Foggy
Fragmented
Hazy
Indifferent
Jaded
Lackluster
Lifeless
Limp
Listless
Numb
On autopilot
Passive
Repressed
Resigned
Robotic
Shut off
Shutdown
Spaced out
Stagnant
Subdued
Understimulated
Unmotivated
Vacant
Vague
Withdrawn
Zoned out

Overwhelmed 33

At capacity
Burdened
Buried
Chaotic
Conflicted
Derailed
Distracted
Drowning
Dysregulated
Falling behind
Flooded
Frayed
Frazzled
Hyperactivated
Maxed out
Muddled
Overloaded
Overstimulated
Overwhelmed
Pendulating
Pressured
Scattered
Smothered
Spinning
Spiraling
Stressed
Stretched thin
Stuck
Suffocated
Swamped
Tested
Turbulent
Underwater

Calm & Grounded 46

Absorbed
Anchored
At ease
At peace
Balanced
Calm
Centered
Clear
Clear-headed
Comfortable
Composed
Content
Controlled
Easygoing
Even-keeled
Focused
Grounded
Light
Lighter
Lucid
Managed
Mindful
Peaceful
Present
Quiet
Recharged
Refreshed
Relaxed
Relieved
Renewed
Rested
Restored
Rooted
Safe
Secure
Serene
Settled
Sharp
Solid
Soothed
Steady
Still
Tranquil
Unburdened
Unshaken
Zen

Joy & Energy 57

Active
Adventurous
Alive
Animated
Blissful
Buoyant
Captivated
Carefree
Cheerful
Creative
Curious
Delighted
Dynamic
Eager
Ecstatic
Elated
Encouraged
Energized
Engaged
Enthusiastic
Euphoric
Excited
Exhilarated
Expansive
Exuberant
Fascinated
Free
Freed
Fulfilled
Glad
Grateful
Happy
Heartened
Hopeful
Inquisitive
Inspired
Intrigued
Invigorated
Joyful
Jubilant
Liberated
Light-hearted
Motivated
Open
Optimistic
Overjoyed
Positive
Productive
Satisfied
Spirited
Thankful
Thrilled
Triumphant
Uninhibited
Uplifted
Vibrant
Vital

Strong & Capable 34

Accomplished
Ambitious
Assured
Bold
Brave
Capable
Committed
Competent
Confident
Courageous
Decisive
Defined
Determined
Dignified
Emboldened
Empowered
Fearless
Fierce
Flexible
In control
Intentional
Knowing
Mature
Prepared
Proud
Ready
Resilient
Resolute
Self-assured
Steadfast
Vindicated
Whole
Wise
Worthy

Seen & Valued 21

Accepted
Acknowledged
Affirmed
Appreciated
Belonging
Celebrated
Compassionate
Heard
Included
Loved
Nurtured
Reassured
Recognized
Respected
Seen
Supported
Trusted
Understood
Validated
Valued
Visible

Activated & Restless 33

Activated
Alert
Amped
Anticipating
Antsy
Ardent
Buzzing
Charged
Compelled
Craving
Driven
Fervent
Fixed
Hyped
Hyper
Hyperfocused
Impulsive
Irrational
Keyed up
Manic
Obsessed
Obsessive
On-edge physically
Pumped
Reckless
Restless
Revved up
Stimulated
Stir-crazy
Unstable
Wild
Wired
Wound up

Conflicted & Uncertain 33

Aimless
Ambivalent
Bewildered
Complicated
Confused
Directionless
Disenchanted
Disillusioned
Divided
Doubtful
Erratic
Existential
Hesitant
In limbo
Meaningless
Mixed
Moody
Mystified
On the fence
Perplexed
Preoccupied
Purposeless
Puzzled
Questioning
Ruminative
Second-guessing
Skeptical
Torn
Undecided
Uninspired
Unsettled
Unsure
Wavering

Connection & Intimacy 43

Adored
Affectionate
Altruistic
Appreciative
Attached
Attuned
Bonded
Cared for
Caring
Cherished
Chosen
Close
Connected
Desired
Devoted
Embraced
Empathetic
Enamored
Generous
Gracious
Held
In love
In sync
Infatuated
Intimate
Kind
Loyal
Moved
Open-hearted
Prioritized
Protected
Sheltered
Smitten
Soft
Sympathetic
Tender
Tender-hearted
Touched
Treasured
Trusting
Wanted
Warm
Warmhearted

Relational Hurt 44

Belittled
Betrayed
Blamed
Cheated
Criticized
Deceived
Dismissed
Disrespected
Excluded
Gaslit
Ghosted
Guilt-tripped
Ignored
Invalidated
Invisible
Judged
Let down
Lied to
Manipulated
Minimized
Misunderstood
Mocked
Ostracized
Overlooked
Patronized
Persecuted
Pushed away
Rejected
Replaceable
Ridiculed
Scapegoated
Shunned
Shut out
Sidelined
Slighted
Stifled
Taken for granted
Trapped
Unappreciated
Underestimated
Unheard
Unloved
Unseen
Used

Self & Identity 33

Aligned
Authentic
Autonomous
Complacent
Compulsive
Contemplative
Earnest
Foolish
Genuine
Growing
Grown
Healing
Humble
Independent
Integrated
Meditative
Naive
Patient
Possessive
Protective
Purposeful
Rebuilding
Recovering
Reflective
Restrained
Self-accepting
Self-aware
Self-reliant
Self-sufficient
Sensitive
Serious
Stoic
Territorial

Spiritual & Meaning 13

Accepting
Awakened
Awe-inspired
Awe-struck
Awed
Blessed
Faithful
Graceful
Guided
Harmonious
Reverent
Surrendered
Transcendent

Playful & Light 12

Amused
Bouncy
Bubbly
Charmed
Clever
Giddy
Goofy
Mischievous
Playful
Silly
Snarky
Spontaneous

Surprise & Shock 8

Astonished
Blindsided
Caught off guard
Dumbfounded
Shocked
Speechless
Stunned
Surprised

Tired & Depleted 20

Bone-tired
Burnt out
Collapsed
Crashing
Depleted
Drained
Exhausted
Faint
Fried
Lethargic
Running on empty
Sapped
Sleep-deprived
Sluggish
Spent
Tired
Weak
Weary
Wiped out
World-weary

Feelings List from Surfacing. Free to print and share.
https://surfacingapp.com/feelings.html

Body Map: Where You Feel It

Emotions show up in the body before they have a name. A tight chest, a knot in the stomach, a heavy jaw. Tap a region to see the sensations people report there.

Face & Expression 20

Blank stare
Brow furrowing
Cheek biting
Crying
Eye twitching
Facial flushing
Facial tension
Frowning
Glazed eyes
Grimacing
Jaw clenching
Jaw tension
Lip biting
Lip trembling
Rapid blinking
Scrunched face
Staring blankly
Tearing up
Teeth grinding
TMJ pain

Eyes & Ears 13

Blurred vision
Dry eyes
Ear fullness
Ear pain
Eye strain
Ringing in ears
Sensitivity to light
Sensitivity to noise
Tunnel vision
Vision changes
Visual disturbances
Visual snow
Watery eyes

Throat & Voice 11

Choking sensation
Difficulty swallowing
Dry mouth
Lump in throat
Metallic taste
Mouth dryness
Stuttering
Throat tightening
Voice going quiet
Voice shaking
Words not coming out

Arms & Hands 20

Arm heaviness
Arm numbness
Arm pain
Arm shaking
Arm tingling
Arm weakness
Carpal tunnel sensation
Clammy hands
Elbow pain
Finger numbness
Finger trembling
Fist clenching
Nail biting urge
Numbness in hands
Shoulder pain
Shoulder tension
Sweaty palms
Tingling in fingers
Wrist pain
Wrist tension

Heart & Chest 12

Chest heaviness
Chest pain
Chest pressure
Chest tightness
Heart pounding
Heart racing
Irregular heartbeat
Palpitations
Racing heart
Rapid pulse
Skipped heartbeats
Slow heartbeat

Breathing 8

Breathlessness
Can't catch breath
Difficulty breathing
Hyperventilation
Rapid breathing
Shallow breathing
Shortness of breath
Sighing frequently

Stomach 19

Acid reflux
Appetite increase
Appetite loss
Excessive hunger
Food aversion
Gagging
Gas
Heartburn
Indigestion
Loss of appetite
Nausea
Stomach churning
Stomach dropping sensation
Stomach flipping
Stomach growling
Stomach knot
Stomach pain
Stomach tightening
Vomiting

Digestive 7

Bloating
Constipation
Cramping
Diarrhea
Irritable bowel
Stomach cramps
Stomach upset

Waist & Core 13

Abdominal tightening
Back pain
Back tightness
Core tension
Flank pain
Hip pain
Hip tightness
Lower abdominal cramps
Lower back pain
Menstrual cramps
Pelvic tension
Sacral pain
Side stitches

Legs & Feet 19

Ankle pain
Ankle swelling
Cold feet
Foot pain
Foot tingling
Knee pain
Leg cramping
Leg heaviness
Leg numbness
Leg shaking
Leg tingling
Leg weakness
Numbness in extremities
Pins and needles
Restless legs
Tingling in feet
Toe numbness
Unsteady gait
Wobbly legs

Head & Mind 20

Brain fog
Brain zaps
Confusion
Difficulty concentrating
Difficulty speaking
Dizziness
Feeling faint
Headache
Hypnic jerks
Lightheadedness
Memory gaps
Mental fatigue
Migraine
Mind going blank
Pressure in head
Sleep paralysis
Slowed reactions
Vertigo
Visual snow
Word-finding difficulty

Whole Body and Mind

Muscles & Movement 18

Can't sit still
Chronic pain flare
Fibromyalgia flare
Joint pain
Muscle aches
Muscle cramps
Muscle spasms
Muscle tension
Muscle weakness
Neck pain
Pacing
Pain flare
Physical agitation
Rocking
Shaking
Stiff muscles
Trembling
Twitching

Sensory 7

Numbness (physical)
Peripheral numbness
Sensitivity to light
Sensitivity to noise
Sensitivity to smell
Sensitivity to touch
Sensory overload

Dissociation 6

Depersonalization
Derealization
Dissociation
Emotional numbing
Out-of-body feeling
Time distortion

Skin & Temperature 20

Burning sensation
Chills
Clammy skin
Cold hands
Cold sweats
Excessive sweating
Feeling cold
Feeling hot
Flushing
Goosebumps
Hives
Hot flashes
Itching
Night sweats
Pallor
Rash
Skin burning
Skin crawling
Sweating
Temperature dysregulation

Sleep 12

Difficulty falling asleep
Early morning waking
Hypnic jerks
Insomnia
Night sweats
Night terrors
Nightmares
Restless sleep
Sleep disturbance
Sleep paralysis
Unrefreshing sleep
Waking up often

Energy & Fatigue 9

Exhaustion
Fatigue
Full body heaviness
Heavy limbs
Lethargy
Physical crash
Post-stress crash
Slow movement
Yawning excessively

Nervous System 16

Adrenaline rush
Fawn response
Fight response
Flight response
Freeze response
Hair pulling urge
Hyperarousal
Hypoarousal
Jumpiness
Nail biting urge
On-edge physically
Physical hypervigilance
Skin picking urge
Startle response
Urge to flee
Urge to hide

Body Map from Surfacing. Free to print and share.
https://surfacingapp.com/feelings.html

How to Use This List

Name it to tame it

Putting a feeling into words calms the brain's alarm response. A UCLA brain-imaging study (Lieberman et al., 2007) found that labeling an emotion reduced activity in the amygdala. "Bad" is hard to work with. "Resentful" or "left out" gives you somewhere to go.

Start with the body

If you can't find the word, start with the sensation. Find where you feel it on the body map, then look for a feeling that matches. Tight chest and racing heart often sit next to fear. Heavy limbs often sit next to sadness.

For therapists and teachers

Print it for sessions, classrooms, or a waiting room. Use the search to find a word with a client in the moment. Every category is on this page, so there's nothing to unlock and nothing to buy.

Track these over time

This list comes from Surfacing, a free mental health tracker. Log what you feel and where you feel it, then see the pattern. No account. Works offline. Your data never leaves your phone.