~Emotions Show Up as Symptoms~

💜 The mind and body are deeeeeeply interconnected.

When we face stress, trauma, or intense emotions, our bodies activate a fight-or-flight response, releasing stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones prepare us for action, but when the stress carries on, we stay in this heightened state longer than we ever should, which over time wears us down.

Emotions can store themselves in different parts of the body:

Neck and shoulders~Where we often carry responsibilities, leading to tightness and chronic pain.

Chest~ Tied to heartache, grief, and anxiety, contributing to shallow breathing or tightness.

Lower back~Linked to insecurity or lack of support, resulting in tension and pain.

Hips and thighs~ Known to hold unprocessed fear, making these areas prone to stiffness and discomfort.

Our bodies remember EVERYTHING. Even what we don’t. When we suppress emotions like anger, sadness, or fear, they linger within us, eventually causing symptoms like headaches, digestive problems, soreness and even insomnia. These physical manifestations are the bodies was to signal us to address the emotions we’ve buried.

The good news is…. The body has an INCREDIBLE ability to heal when we start to tune in and acknowledge our emotions. Addressing the physical symptoms involves exploring the underlying emotions. Here are some ways to begin releasing trapped emotional energy and finding balance:

1. Somatic Practices

Somatic therapy, yoga, dance, and gentle stretching help release trauma stored in the body. These practices build awareness, allowing trapped emotions to surface and be processed.

2. Breath-work

Emotions often settle in the chest and diaphragm. Deep, intentional breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation. Techniques like diaphragmatic or alternate-nostril breathing can help you stay present, allowing emotions to pass through without resistance.

3. Lymphatic Drainage

Self-massage or lymphatic drainage exercises not only support detoxification but help clear emotional energy stored in the body. This gentle, rhythmic technique promotes circulation and encourages emotional release. (For more, see Week 20 in the journal on incorporating lymphatic drainage into self-care.)

4. Cortisol-Lowering Herbs

Herbs like ashwagandha, holy basil, and rhodiola help reduce cortisol and support resilience. Adding these herbs into your routine can foster calm, making it easier for your body to process emotions.

5. Journaling and Reflection

Writing down your feelings, especially when they’re unclear, can help uncover buried emotions. Simply naming what you feel is often enough to start the healing process. Regular journaling creates an emotional outlet, preventing feelings from manifesting as physical tension.

6. Physical Touch and Therapy

Massage, acupuncture, or even a hug from a loved one can release stored emotions. Physical touch fosters connection and signals safety, allowing the body to relax and release.

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Society has a way of encouraging emotional avoidance, we often “stay strong” and “keep pushing.” Or “Just be positive!”

But by bypassing our emotions, we are just storing them, and preventing the true healing we need. The body holds every stress, every heartbreak, every trauma. It will keep signaling through symptoms and discomfort until we learn to tune the f*ck in and listen!!

💜 Feeling our emotions is not about dwelling on the negative… it’s giving ourselves PERMISSION TO FEEL!!

💜 Emotions are transient and lose their hold when we allow them to pass through us.

💜 Releasing stored emotions is choice. It’s a journey, requiring patience, compassion, and a willingness to tune into your body.

💜 The more we listen, the more we can work with our bodies instead of against them. Processing our emotions is one of many keys to true health.

Start listening, whether it’s a headache or a stiff neck, ask yourself: what emotion is my body expressing?

Give yourself the space to feel, heal, and let that sh*t go!!

💞