Repressing emotions can make you sick

Emotions are physiological expressions that tell us how we receive different events. Thus, just like when you suffer from, for example, a cold, you cannot hide it and we must rest and suffer it. Therefore, When we feel an emotion, the right thing to do is to assume it and experience it..

This ability to experience different emotions It is essential for the regulation of them and our body. Therefore, repressing emotions, generally negative, is holding back the body itself, which can lead to physical alterations.

Negative emotions usually cause an effect similar to that of stress or anxiety., increasing the heart rate, the production of adrenaline or cortisol, etc. These symptoms, cumulatively, have an effect on physical health.

Thus, by expressing and managing emotions, we implement behaviors that help us reduce that negative feeling, such as talking to someone, crying or resolving what causes it. Therefore, Repressing emotions would only prolong the physiological effects, affecting health..

What effects does repressing emotions have on the body?

Emotional repression refers to the ability to invalidate, ignore or conceal emotions. that arise naturally in everyday life. In this sense, we tend to repress those unpleasant emotions that make us feel vulnerable, such as anger, fear, anguish or sadness.

However, these emotions have a function in our lives, therefore, we must learn to display and channel them without leaving any of them aside.

Now, among the most common health disorders caused by emotional repression are:

Headaches or migraines

Stress or discomfort from hiding negative emotions tends to tense the muscles of the neck and face, specifically the corrugator muscle found in the forehead. This tension ends up generating headaches and even muscle pain in the jaw.

Stomach problems

The stomach is connected to the vagus nerve, which in turn is one of the main emotional centers of the body. Thus, the stomach is extremely sensitive to mood changes. It is not by chance that it has been called the “second brain.”

Thus, strong emotions or the accumulation of feelings by repressing them can cause vomissions, bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea and even ulcers.

Acne

A study conducted by Stanford University found that acne was significantly affected by emotional stress. This would be due to the increased production of the hormone cortisol and testosterone caused by stress.

weakened immune system

Increases in cortisol also affect the immune system, reducing and worsening the response to certain diseases or infections.

Increased risk of diabetes and/or heart attacks

Heart rate and cortisol are maintained despite repressing emotions. In fact, there is vast evidence that proves that poor emotional management is highly related to a greater risk of these two health problems.

Body stiffness

Another quite common effect is body tension, which can occur in any part of the body. The most common are: the jaw and shoulders.

Increased blood pressure

When we do not adequately express what we feel, our blood pressure is also likely to rise. At this point it is pertinent to keep in mind that emotional repression can be confused with any other type of illness, so that people end up consuming medications that they do not really need.

Hence the importance of being aware of what may be the origin of our health problems.

Anxiety attacks

The repression of emotions also often causes anxiety attacks in people. In these cases, the affected person may experience tachycardia, breathing difficulties, dizziness, tingling sensation in the body, etc.which do not have a physical origin.

In other words, when we tend to repress our emotions our body can react as if it were in constant danger. Thus, tries to keep the body on alertwith insomnia and excessive thinking about a situation that we perceive as threatening.

Maladaptive behaviors

For their part, many people who repress their emotions resort to harmful behaviors to neutralize the discomfort caused by them. However, what they actually do is strengthen them.

These behaviors can range from rumination (thinking over and over the same thought) to avoidance strategies (such as abuse of alcohol, drugs, medication, etc.).

In the long run, These behaviors end up having an impact on our body.causing serious health problems.

Why do we repress emotions?

Our mind has a natural propensity to protect ourselves from danger and discomfort. So, if we have not received an adequate emotional education – where we have been taught that all emotions have a meaning and that we must give each one its place – it is most likely that our psyche will separate from our consciousness those contents that bother us. or that cause us conflict.

Therefore, if a situation is causing us a lot of discomfort, The mind uses this defense mechanism (repression) to avoid suffering.either. However, far from helping us, what it does is deepen the conflict and affect the body.

Likewise, the experience of traumatic events can also lead us to repress the emotions associated with the situation. In these cases, unpleasant emotions can be felt with great intensity that, In an attempt by our mind to protect us from so much discomfort, it chooses to sink what we feel into the unconscious.

It should be noted that the entire process of repression is carried out unconsciously, that is, without realizing it.

How do we know if we are repressing our emotions?

In addition to experiencing health problems without an apparent organic cause (somatization), emotional repression becomes evident when:

We do not communicate assertively with others. In this case, we use second and third persons to refer to things about ourselves; We do not know how to communicate to others what we are feeling and why we are feeling it; or we appear irritable in front of others, due to the emotional discomfort experienced. It can also be noticed when we resort to harmful habits to evade our poor management of emotions. Addictions are a clear example of these harmful behaviors.We have dreams with an important emotional charge. In this case, our unconscious is telling us that we must attend to our emotions in a healthier way.

What can we do?

Regarding the control of emotions, There are activities that can be very useful to relax the body and mind, such as meditation, breathing exercises, tai-chi and yoga, for example.

In addition, you have to make an effort to understand and accept your own emotions. An important help would beFind a trusted person to whom you can talk freely about your own feelings.. Having someone who understands you, listens to you and gives you support is crucial for this and, thus, you can let go of everything you carry inside.

Changes do not occur overnight, but with time and effort you can become a calmer and more communicative person. Consequently, you will discover that your health is improving.

Of course, if you feel like a certain situation is getting serious and you can’t deal with it on your own, Don’t miss the opportunity to go to a psychology professionalwho will know how to guide you properly.

Finally, do you feel that some of the emotions you experience cause you harm? Why not look for activities that help achieve greater serenity and inner peace instead of repressing emotions? It is about you experiencing the benefits of a change in your life yourself.. You have nothing to lose and potentially everything to gain.

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