The Body Holds What the Mind Can't Process: How Unresolved Emotions Show Up Physically
When we experience intense emotions , our natural response is to try and make sense of them. We might talk through our feelings, write them out, and often simply push them aside to "move on." However, what many of us don’t realize is that emotions don’t just disappear. When we don’t fully process them, they can get trapped in the body—leading to physical symptoms and chronic conditions that often seem unrelated to our emotional world. This phenomenon is known as somatic manifestation, where unresolved emotions show up physically.
In this blog post, we’ll explore how emotions impact the body, common signs of emotional blockages, and why it’s so important to pay attention to these signals.
The Link Between Emotions and the Body: Understanding Somatic Manifestation
Somatic manifestation is the physical expression of emotional experiences. When we’re unable or unwilling to process strong emotions—whether it's fear, anger, sadness, or trauma—the body often holds onto them in the form of tension or pain. This happens because emotions are not just psychological events; they are also physiological. Our nervous system processes emotions by triggering physiological responses (like increased heart rate, muscle tension, or changes in breathing patterns) to prepare us for action.
However, when we don’t “complete” the emotional process curve ( as acknowledging, understanding and feeling), the body can remain in a state of heightened tension, as if those emotions are still active. Over time, this chronic tension can result in physical symptoms like chronic pain, muscle tightness, or fatigue.
Common Signs of Emotional Blockages
Recognizing the physical signs of emotional blockages can be a powerful first step in healing. Here are some common physical symptoms that often point to unresolved emotions:
Tight Chest or Difficulty Breathing: Many people feel a weight on their chest when they experience anxiety, fear, or grief. The chest area is a common place for emotions to manifest because it is closely connected to our heart and respiratory system. If you often feel like you can’t catch your breath or experience a tightness in your chest, this could be linked to repressed emotional experiences.
Chronic Pain in the Neck, Back, or Shoulders: These areas are often referred to as the “emotional storage zones.” The neck, in particular, can carry a lot of tension, especially when we feel burdened or overwhelmed. Shoulders, too, often become tight when we carry the weight of responsibility, anxiety, or unresolved conflicts.
Jaw Tension or Teeth Grinding: Often associated with stress, anxiety, and anger, jaw tension and teeth grinding are classic signs that the body is holding onto repressed emotions. This physical reaction typically happens when we’re holding back or "clenching" our feelings in order to avoid confrontation or vulnerability.
Numbness or Tingling in Hands/Feet: These sensations often arise when we are dissociated or disconnected from our feelings. Numbness can also result from our bodies’ freeze response when we’re unable to process overwhelming emotions or trauma. This response is the body’s way of "shutting down" to protect itself from emotional overwhelm.
Disconnection or Emotional Numbness: Often, when we repress or avoid emotions, it can lead to a sense of emotional disconnection . This is a protective mechanism that the body uses to avoid emotional pain . You may feel "checked out" or disconnected from your emotions, as if you’re going through the motions of life without truly feeling. This can show up physically as a sense of emptiness, difficulty connecting with others, or a lack of emotional response to situations that would normally evoke a reaction. In some cases, this disconnection might be so strong that you feel "out of touch" with your own body, as though you're floating through life instead of living it fully.
The Freeze Response: How It Contributes to Emotional Blockages
The freeze response is a natural survival mechanism that is often activated during extreme stress or trauma. When we feel that we cannot fight or flee from a threatening situation, ( and emotions can be a situation) our bodies may enter a state of paralysis—this is the freeze response. While this may help us survive a moment of danger, when it becomes chronic, it can lead to long-term emotional and physical tension.
In this state, our nervous system gets "stuck" , and we may struggle to feel fully present or relaxed. Instead of fully processing our emotions, we suppress them, and the body holds onto the energy from that suppression. This is why healing often involves not just talking about our feelings, but also releasing the physical tension that comes from years of holding them in.
Your Body Remembers What Your Mind Suppresses
There’s a well-known book in psychology: The body keeps the score. This phrase, popularized by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk’s groundbreaking book of the same name, speaks to the idea that trauma and unresolved emotions are stored in the body and can affect our mental and physical health for years, even if we’ve forgotten the emotional details of the events.
Emotional suppression or denial doesn’t make the emotions go away—it simply causes them to get "stuck." The longer we suppress or avoid our emotions, the more likely it is that they will manifest as physical discomfort or disease.
Moving Forward: Releasing Emotional Blockages
If you notice any of the signs of emotional blockages in your body, it’s essential to address both the emotional and physical aspects of healing. Psychotherapy, can help you process and release repressed emotions. Somatic therapies (which focus on the body’s sensations and movements) can also play a significant role in helping to release stored tension and facilitate emotional healing.
However, it’s crucial to be well-supported in this journey. Working with a trained therapist can guide you in safely exploring and releasing these emotions in a way that minimizes the risk of re-triggering or re-traumatizing yourself. Releasing emotional blockages is a delicate process that requires care, awareness, and the right tools to ensure that the healing is done in a healthy, manageable way.
In addition to therapy, consider incorporating practices into your daily routine that encourage mindfulness and physical relaxation, such as:
Breathwork Techniques (like Box Breathing or Diaphragmatic Breathing): These specific breathing patterns can help activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which induces relaxation and helps lower stress levels. They’re great tools for calming the body and mind in moments of heightened emotional states
Journaling or other expressive outlets to help process and express emotions
Self-Compassion Practices: Techniques that encourage kindness towards oneself, like self-compassion exercises or affirmations, can be extremely helpful for those who struggle with shame or self-criticism related to their emotions. Treating yourself with care can reduce emotional resistance and support healing.
Remember, your body is not just a vessel for your mind—it is an active participant in your emotional world. By recognizing and honoring the ways in which your body holds your emotions, you can begin to unlock deeper layers of healing.
It’s important to accept that this process takes time. When emotions have been stored in the body for long periods, it’s vital to approach healing gradually. Allowing yourself to feel safe and supported as you begin to process these feelings is key. The body has adapted to holding these sensations for a reason, and giving it time to feel secure enough to release them is an essential part of the healing process.
Your body remembers what your mind suppresses. Pay attention to the signals.
Comments