Pent-Up Emotions
Once we identify the emotion and where it is in our body, it is easier to figure out why we feel the way we do. When we examine it more thoroughly, it becomes easier to understand and let it go. That is why the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is so effective. This is one of the best ways to honor our emotions.
Deal with one emotion at a time and recognize if there are other feelings that need to be released. We need to listen to and be conscious of the messages we receive. Chronic fatigue or pain, an accident, or an illness are all signs that tell us to change, reevaluate and move forward to a better place. What can we do for our highest good?
No emotions are bad, not even the unpleasant ones. They all have something to tell us. Any emotion can be considered good if we experience it fully and act on the message we get. Knowing what we are feeling in the moment is like coming home to our inner self, the self where we can feel, joy, peace and love.
1 “Psychologists find the meaning of aggression: ‘Monty Python’ scene helps research,” Science News, March 2011. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110323105202.htm
2 “Emotion Risk-Factor in Patients With Cardiac Diseases: The Role of Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies, Positive Affect and Negative Affect (A Case-Control Study),” Global Journal of Health Science, January 2016. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4804021/
3 “Stress-diabetes link detailed in new study,” ScienceDaily, June 2016. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/06/160606140011.htm
4 “Gut Vagal Afferents Differentially Modulate Innate Anxiety and Learned Fear,” Journal of Neuroscience, May 2014. (Referenced in Psychology Today, May 2014. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/201405/how-does-the-vagus-nerve-convey-gut-instincts-the-brain)
A need to act on and release certain emotions
A study1 from the University of Texas in Austin found that when we suppress our emotions, we become more aggressive. Another case study2 done in 2015 shows pent-up emotions lead to many different physical conditions including heart problems, autoimmune disorders, ulcers, IBS and more. Still another study3 from Rice University shows when feelings of anger, sadness, grief or frustration are ignored, they can lead to more stress on the body. Over time, untreated stress can lead to an increased risk of diabetes, problems with memory, aggression, and depression.
Tune into our body
It’s time to tune into our body and honor the emotions that are present. Take time to breathe. Identify where feelings are stuck in our body. Then, by diaphragmatic breathing, we will activate our vagus nerve – the longest of the cranial nerves. Numerous studies have shown that signals traveling from the gut to the brain via the vagus nerve have been linked to modulating mood and distinctive types of fear and anxiety.
In a 2014 study4 conducted at ETH Zurich, researchers discovered that messages also travel “downstream” from your conscious mind through the vagus nerve, signaling your organs to create an inner-calm so you can “rest-and-digest” during times of safety, or to prepare your body for “fight-or-flight” in dangerous situations. In other words, among its many functions, the vagus nerve is responsible for regulating emotions. When we take deep, mindful breaths, we are tuning into our vagus nerve and literally massaging the intensity of our emotions.
Once we identify the emotion and where it is in our body, it is easier to figure out why we feel the way we do. When we examine it more thoroughly, it becomes easier to understand and let it go. That is why the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is so effective. This is one of the best ways to honor our emotions.
Deal with one emotion at a time and recognize if there are other feelings that need to be released. We need to listen to and be conscious of the messages we receive. Chronic fatigue or pain, an accident, or an illness are all signs that tell us to change, reevaluate and move forward to a better place. What can we do for our highest good?
No emotions are bad, not even the unpleasant ones. They all have something to tell us. Any emotion can be considered good if we experience it fully and act on the message we get. Knowing what we are feeling in the moment is like coming home to our inner self, the self where we can feel, joy, peace and love.
Listen to our heart
As we work with our emotions, our best guides are our intuition and our heart. Go to a place of stillness – a sacred place where we connect with our higher self. Our intuition is working all the time; for instance, when choosing an essential oil for a physical or mental condition. It helps us make decisions and choices. With a clear intention, when we feel the energy or hear the message, it is easier to trust and be confident in our choice. We all can benefit from honoring our emotions, trusting our intuition, and accepting the lessons we are given.
