Many of us try to avoid negative emotions. Although biologically they are designed to spur us to action, provide important information about our environment, motivate and help us communicate. However, most of us have learned over the years to ignore this internal “navigation system” and try to avoid any negativity by hiding it deep within ourselves. Why can’t this be done?
Nicole Taffs, presenter thesensitivelife.ca.
We have learned to unconsciously shut down our internal information processing system as soon as we detect any signs of feelings such as vulnerability, fear, or rejection. We do not allow these emotions to rise to the surface and convey a message to us. To suppress heavy thoughts, we are constantly distracted by something useless, we watch endless TV, sit on social networks, use alcohol or drugs, or become a victim of any other addiction.
Many suppress their emotions, but we must not forget the consequences. When we ignore unpleasant experiences, they do not go away. Our body will store these rejected emotions so that they can fulfill their function in the future. But emotions are not designed for long-term “storage” in our body. Because of this, our body begins to hurt. Most often, we suppress and carry the burden of emotions such as anger, longing, sadness, anxiety, and shame.
We are able to survive even the strongest emotions without allowing them to harm us.
It should be realized that we cannot keep these emotions deep inside. Until we work them out, they will seize more and more power and expand their influence on us and our body. But no matter how powerful they may seem, in the end, they are just emotions. They should not be afraid. We are able to survive even the strongest emotions without allowing them to harm us. One should feel these experiences, realize what message they bring to us, and after that they will disappear forever.
Some tips for releasing repressed emotions
1. Allow yourself to feel. Find a quiet, calm place where nothing will distract you. First, take a few deep breaths. When you feel ready, allow your body to feel any emotion. For example, you can give yourself a clear instruction like “Experiencing emotions is not dangerous.”
2. Feel your body. Feel your body from your toes to your head. Do nothing, just focus on the sensations. Your body can tell you a lot if you listen carefully. Listen to which parts of the body attract attention to yourself and what kind of sensations in this area you experience. Feeling tight? Heat or cold? Tickle or pain? These sensations can be weak or strong. Unprocessed emotions are often “stored” in various organs and parts of the body.
3. Feel the emotions. Place your hands on the area of your body that attracts your attention. Inhale and exhale deeply several times. You will begin to feel the experiences that are “stored” there. Breathe and let your emotions rise to the surface. You may feel fear and discomfort. Just watch and release whatever thoughts that fear generates. Let yourself feel. Accept these experiences and dive deeper into them. Anger, sadness, regret, fear, humiliation, and any other emotion can be felt. You may feel like crying, screaming, changing positions, or stretching your stiff body.
To suppress heavy thoughts, we watch TV, surf on social media, or become a victim of some kind of addiction.
4. Find the source of the emotion. If the experiences that arose during the implementation of the previous paragraph are too strong for you, then you can stop there for now. If you are ready to move on, ask yourself what the released emotions are about. Unpleasant emotions are generated by unhealthy beliefs such as “I’m not good enough,” “I can’t be loved,” “I’m not safe.” Just continue to sit in silence, breathe evenly and keep your hands on the area where the feeling comes from.
You may start to have thoughts related to a particular topic or to certain people or situations in your head. Pay attention to these relationships and think about them. If your limiting beliefs come to mind, release them. Replace them with other beliefs, telling yourself: “I am a worthy person”, “I am loved”, “I am safe”. You can use any statement that suits you.
Remember that feelings are transitory. Thank your body and your emotions for what you’ve learned from them.
5. Release them. It doesn’t matter if the source of emotions has been found or not, they must be released. To do this, they need to feel and recognize their existence. You have already done it. Remember that feelings are transitory. Thank your body and your emotions for what you have learned from them. Tell your body that you love it and are grateful for it so that it will be more willing to reveal its secrets to you in the future. The fastest way to release an emotion permanently is to understand what limiting belief is creating it.
If we fail to find the source of the experience, it will most likely occur again and again. But the more you practice these exercises, the easier it will be for you to identify, process, and eliminate “frozen” emotions and limiting beliefs. You will learn to feel experiences at the moment of their occurrence and will not drag behind you a load of repressed emotions that can interfere with you and distort your view of the world. All this will help you feel lighter, freer and happier.