Get Rid of "Emotional Baggage" and Stress It Causes
- Dr. Tim Esguerra, DC
- Sep 4, 2023
- 3 min read
You may have heard of people crying while receiving chiropractic adjustments or manual therapies because of a tender spot that, when touched, seems to cause an emotional release.
It's not always a scientific way to phrase things when people talk about trauma being "stored" or "imprisoned" in the body.
However, traumatic stress disorder symptoms can also show themselves physically.
This could be as a result of the brain's association of this region—often subconsciously—with a specific memory.
We know with research that support the mind-body connection that a person's mental and emotional health impacts the state of their physical health.
For example, when you're in a situation where you're afraid, your body's physical response is activated by the flight or fight response. These emotion process occur in the limbic structures of the brain.
The "feelings" we get from our environment comes from what our nervous system is telling us. It is common for our repressed negative emotions can be expressed as:
Poor decision-making
Overreaction
Depression
Fatigue
Increased stress and anxiety
Have you ever had a tightening in your chest during a stressful situation? Or have you ever noticed that stretching your hips after a day that was emotionally taxing feels good?
There may be differences between how one individual experiences stress or sensitivity in their bodies.
However, some research offer a starting point for how emotions are typically felt. But additional research is still required to draw firm conclusions from this topic.
Emotional processing takes place in the limbic brain regions. Although certain parts of your body may feel tense or be linked to emotional experiences, your brain is ultimately responsible for rebuilding the emotion.
You can learn to let go of the tension caused by prior traumas by employing ways to work with your emotions, such as therapy and intentional movement.
Exercise Prescription
According to a recent study from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, walking for an hour or running for 15 minutes each day lowers the risk of serious depression by 26%.
Most significantly, it encourages a variety of mental changes, including neuronal development, decreased inflammation, and new activity patterns that foster emotions of peace and wellbeing.
It also aids the production of endorphins, potent brain chemicals that lift your mood and make you feel happy. Last but not least, exercise can work as a diversion, enabling you to find some quiet time to end the vicious loop of pessimistic thoughts that fuel sadness.
There is evidence to support the idea that paying close attention to your body and how it feels when exercising might really assist your nervous system get "unstuck" and start to emerge from the immobility stress reaction that defines PTSD or trauma.
Instead of letting your thoughts wander, concentrate on the physical sensations your joints, muscles, and even your internal organs are experiencing as you move your body.
Some of your greatest options are full body cross-movement exercises that use both your arms and legs, such walking (particularly in sand), running, swimming, weight training, or dancing.
In the journey towards a healthier and more balanced life, shedding the weight of emotional baggage and stress is a transformative step. Remember, you have the power to rewrite your story and reclaim your emotional well-being. By implementing the strategies, you're taking a proactive stance to prioritize your mental health and overall happiness.
However, it's important to acknowledge that seeking professional support can significantly expedite this process. I am here to provide you with the tools, guidance, and compassionate assistance you need to let go of emotional baggage and conquer stress.
Don't let emotional baggage hold you back from living your best life. Take the first step towards emotional freedom today.
Stay active! Stay healthy!
Dr. Tim
ความคิดเห็น