I want to talk to you about something I’ve lived through and seen countless times which is how emotions don’t just stay in your head, but actually get stored in your body. I’ve experienced this firsthand: when stress builds up, it contracts my chest, makes my tinnitus louder, brings on headaches, causes constipation, and creates muscle aches in my neck and shoulders. Maybe you’ve felt some of these things too.
Your Body and Emotions Are Deeply Connected
When you’re overwhelmed or anxious, your body reacts in ways you might not always notice right away. For me, stress feels like a weight on my chest, making it harder to breathe deeply. The ringing in my ears gets louder, my head aches, and my muscles, especially in my neck and shoulders become tense and sore. Sometimes even digestion slows down, and constipation shows up as another signal my body is holding onto stress.
Our nervous systems are wired to respond to emotions such as stress, grief, anxiety not just mentally but physically. If you don’t release that emotional energy, it lingers inside you, often as pain or discomfort in certain parts of your body.
How Did It Get There?
When your body senses stress or danger, it goes into “fight, flight, or freeze” mode. Your muscles tighten, your heart races, and stress hormones surge. Ideally, once the stressful moment passes, your body relaxes again. But when stress sticks around—whether it’s from daily worries, emotional pain, or past trauma—your body stays on edge, holding tension like a knot that never fully unravels.
I’ve felt this knot. Maybe you have, too. For me, it’s that heaviness in my chest and the persistent soreness in my shoulders. For you, it might be something else, but it’s your body’s way of carrying what your mind can’t fully process.
How We Can Release These Emotions
This understanding changed everything for me. I discovered tools like The Emotion Code and muscle testing, which help find those stuck emotions in the body and gently release them. These aren’t just fancy techniques—they work with your body’s own energy and intelligence to bring you relief.
But you don’t have to wait for a session to start this. You can begin to notice your body’s signals yourself. When you slow down and check in with your body, you start to unravel where tension is held. Breathwork, gentle movement, and mindful body scans are simple ways to connect and release that stored emotional energy.
Here’s a quick practice you can do anytime:
Try This Right Now
- Sit comfortably and close your eyes.
- Take slow, deep breaths, feeling your chest rise and fall.
- Slowly scan your body from head to toe, noticing any tightness, discomfort, or numbness.
- When you find a tense spot—maybe in your chest, neck, or shoulders—breathe gently into it. Imagine the muscles softening with every exhale.
- If emotions come up, just notice them without judging yourself. Let them be there, then let them drift away.
Be Gentle with Yourself
I want you to know: this isn’t about blaming your body or yourself for feeling this way. It’s about recognizing that your body is holding memories and feelings that deserve your attention and care. Healing isn’t instant, and it’s okay to take small steps.
If you want support exploring how your emotions live in your body and how to release them, I’m here for you. At Sonnavera, I offer personalized sessions that help you gently unravel stuck emotions and restore ease in your body and mind.
You don’t have to do this alone.
If you’re feeling the weight of stress in your body and want to begin releasing those hidden emotions, you can try a 30 minute intro session.