Is Your Body Storing Your Emotions?
Updated: Oct 1
In the holistic health field, we know the direct impact that mental and emotional health has on our well-being. Over the past two years, I've been doing some research on an enlightening topic, how/where emotions are stored in the body and their correlation to certain illnesses or discomfort. I am by no means an expert on the topic, but wanted to share the knowledge I've gathered with you all!
We have all experienced the effects of feeling nervous...sweaty palms, an upset stomach, and maybe even a lump in our throat. This is because our body reacts to how we feel and what we think/perceive by sending messages via our nervous system. When these emotions are ongoing or left unresolved, they tend to manifest as ailments.
According to an article I found on NIH (National Library of Medicine) studies have been done and are continuing on this vast topic.
"In terms of specificity, specific emotions (e.g., anger, sadness, embarrassment) can be linked with particular health outcomes (e.g., cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disease). In terms of bi-directionality, the influences of emotions on disease as well as the influences of disease on emotional functioning can be considered."
I have included the link here if you are interested in further reading/study.
Below are just a few of many examples:
Aches: Longing for something missing in life.
Adrenal problems: Anxiety, not nurturing yourself.
Anemia: Fear, feeling inadequate.
Ankle: Inflexibility or guilt, ankles represent the ability to receive pleasure.
Anorexia: Denying yourself of nourishment/love, self-rejection, fear.
Anxiety: Not trusting the process of life, lack of peace and acceptance.
Asthma: Feeling stifled, or the feeling of being stuck with "no room to breathe".
Back Issues: Represents support in your life.
Lower back pain: Lack of support.
Mid-back pain: Guilt, "Get off my back".
Upper back pain: Holding back love, feeling burdened by certain responsibilities.
Bladder problems: Fear of letting go, anxiety, and nervousness.
Blood pressure:
High: Longstanding emotional problems, anger.
Low: Defeatism
Breast: Represents mothering, nourishment/nurturing.
Cancer: Deep hurt, Longstanding resentment, deep secret/grief.
Canker sores: Holding back words and expressing oneself, blame.
Cataracts: Inability to look ahead with joy or hope, Inability to discern.
Colds: Too much going on at once, overworked, overextending yourself.
Colitis: Insecurity. Represents the ease of letting go of that which is over.
Coughs: A desire to be heard, "Listen to me", trying to draw attention.
Cramps: Tension, worry.
Cysts: Nursing hurts, reliving painful experiences.
Depression: Hopelessness, holding on to anger.
Dizziness: Flighty, scattery, disorganized.
Endometriosis: Insecurity, disappointment and frustration.
Eyes- "How we see the world"
Nearsighted: More withdrawn/inward focus,
Farsighted: Focused on the external/observing others and surroundings.
Fat or Weight Issues: Self-rejection and seeking fulfillment, feeling the need for protection or security, carrying the weight of trauma.
Arms: Anger at being denied love
Belly: Anger at being denied nourishment
Hips: Stubborn anger
Thighs: Childhood anger
Fatigue: Boredom, lack of love for how you're living life.
Gallstones: Bitterness, pride.
Gout: Impatience, anger.
Headaches: Self-criticism, over-thinking.
Heart Attack: Lack of joy, replacing/lack of joy due to money or position. Feeling alone.
Liver: Anger, not processing emotions.
Hernia: Ruptured relationships, strain, burden.
Hives: Anxiety, small/hidden fears.
Indigestion: Fear, dread, anxiety.
Inflammation: Anger or frustration about conditions in your life.
Insomnia: Overthinking/worry, lack of peace.
Jaw problems: Resentment, anger, holding back words.
Kidney problems: Criticism, anger, shame.
Laryngitis: Fear of speaking up, resentment of authority, stored emotions.
Lymphatic problems: Stagnation mentally or emotionally.
Menopause problems: Fear of no longer being wanted, fear of aging, not feeling like "enough".
Miscarriage: Fear of the future, "wrong timing" or "not ready" feeling, stress.
Muscles: Represents our ability to move in life.
Nail biting: Anxiousness, frustration, insecurity.
Nausea: Fear, nervousness, rejecting an experience, idea, or situation.
Neck: Represents flexibility or stubbornness.
Nose: Represents self-recognition.
Nose bleeds: Feeling unnoticed, needing attention, crying for love.
Runny nose: Asking for help, signals feeling emotional.
Ovaries: Represent points of creation.
Pancreas: Represents the "sweetness in life".
Pelvic pain: Buried or repressed emotions, unhealed trauma.
Peptic Ulcer: Belief in not being good enough, chronic people pleasing.
Pituitary Gland: Represents the "control center"
Pneumonia: Unhealed emotional wounds, tired emotionally.
Premenstrual Syndrome: Not honoring your feminine needs, not nourishing yourself.
Prostate problems: Sexual pressure/guilt, fear of aging.
Psoriasis: Refusing to take responsibility for feelings and behavior, fear of being hurt.
Rash: Irritation over delays or failed plans, need for extra attention or love.
Shingles: Stress, fear, or tension.
Sinus problems: Irritation to a person or environment.
Sprains: Resistance, not wanting to move ahead in life.
Stiffness: Rigid, uptight, stubborn opinion/thinking.
Stomach: Represents our ability to hold nourishment, and process ideas or experiences.
Sty: Looking at life with anger.
Throat: Represents expression.
Sore throat: Unable to express yourself, holding back words.
Thyroid: Feelings of "I never get to do what I want" or "When will it be my turn?"
Tonsilitis: Repressed emotions, poor communication.
Urinary Infections: Anger, not clearing out stored emotions.
Vomiting: Rejecting ideas/experiences, fear of the new, nervousness.
These are just a few of many ailments and emotions, but the list goes much further than what I can cover in one blog post! This is a vast topic that I believe gives us insight on the importance of addressing wellness holistically.
This post is not meant for self-diagnosis, but to shine a light on how our mind, body, and spirit are connected. Becoming self-aware is the first step to getting the help you need (from a trusted healthcare provider!) and from your community/circle of support. Feeling our emotions and then finding healthy forms of expression/coping is vital for our well-being.
I will be covering this topic in an upcoming webinar so be sure to check back often to learn more about this fascinating topic!
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