Somewhere along the way many of us got the wrong message about acknowledging and expressing our tougher, “less pleasant” emotions. It’s not easy to face complex feelings such as fear, grief, and loneliness; not to mention, we navigate a society that predominately welcomes optimism and positivity. Consequently, it’s become customary to push away, distract, and deny these more difficult emotions. Unfortunately, our dissociative behaviours are causing us harm.
From a somatic viewpoint (somatic meaning internal perception and experience of the body), all emotions are processed at a physiological level in our bodies, and when we deny or suppress feelings, we do not complete the stress-response cycle that happens in our nervous system. This results in more dysregulation and an increase in symptoms. A insightful quote that fits here is, “Repressed emotions don’t disappear – they emerge in our physical bodies and our reactions.” (Sasha Blossom).
Psychologist Susan David explores this topic in her incredibly moving, influential and potentially life-changing talk on developing emotional agility and courage. She speaks to how the way we deal with our emotions shapes everything that matters in our lives: our actions, careers, relationships, health and happiness. This one is worth a watch!
Ted Talk: The gift and power of emotional courage
Susan David
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDQ1Mi5I4rg&t=1s
