By It is not always easy to express what we feel in a suitable way. Sometimes, this difficulty results in an accumulation of unprocessed emotions, which manifest themselves in physical problems and/or blockages.
Trapped emotions are like little stones in our shoes: they cause us discomfort, pain and hinder our path, until we free ourselves from them.
Typically, behind a feeling “encapsulated” in our body or mind there are unresolved wounds or traumatic experiences, low emotional intelligence or lack of self-care. Let’s delve a little deeper into this.
What are trapped emotions?
This concept originates from the book The Emotion Code by Bradley Nelson, a reference in emotional and energetic healing. Before exploring his theory, it is essential to clarify that it is considered an alternative practice and does not yet have solid scientific support.
That said, trapped emotions are those that we fail to express and process adequately. They remain encapsulated in our body and, sooner or later, cause problems in our physical and/or emotional health. Despite the lack of professional consensus, the connection between unprocessed emotions and physical symptoms ( somatization ) is not something new.
Anxiety often translates into gastrointestinal problems. Repressed anger is fuel for hypertension. It is also no coincidence that children get fevers just when their parents are away. Psychosomatic illnesses expose the emotional nature of some medical conditions.
Taking up Nelson’s ideas, each trapped emotion would be linked to a specific point or area of the body. Biodecoding shares a very similar perspective, suggesting that each symptom or illness has a specific symbolic meaning.
Where are the emotions we do not express encapsulated?
The Trapped Emotions Chart is a tool that is part of Emotional Freedom Therapy (EFT). The chart lists different unpleasant feelings and relates them to a body part or organ.
For example, fear would be linked to the kidney, sadness to the lung, anger to the liver, and jealousy to the sexual organs. Below we share the complete chart.
Although this approach is harshly criticized for its lack of scientific support, the relationship between the body and emotions is undeniable. Emotions give us messages that we need to hear. If we turn a deaf ear to them, they would insist that we listen to them, sometimes in painful, uncomfortable or, in the worst cases, dramatic ways.
How do I know if I have trapped emotions?
Detecting whether you have emotions bottled up is a challenge. However, there are some signs that serve as indicators, for example:
- You feel blocked and stagnant in your personal growth.
- You sense that there is something deep within you that is not allowing you to live in peace.
- You have medically unexplained physical symptoms.
- You feel unable to cope with the stress or difficulties of everyday life .
- The intensity of your emotions and your reactions seem excessive for the situations you are experiencing.
While these signs may indicate the presence of stuck emotions, they do not guarantee their existence. Before reaching this conclusion, it is important to consider other factors and seek a more complete analysis from a professional.
How to release them
Once you have identified the emotions that are tangled up inside you, it is essential that you find ways to release them. However, just like stains on clothes, some can be easily removed with a little effort, such as washing them with soap and water. While others are more persistent and require quite elaborate techniques.
The same goes for stuck emotions. Some of them have a deeper origin or have been encapsulated for a long time. In these cases, liberation would involve intense work.
Therapies to treat trapped emotions
Putting into words what we feel is crucial in this process. Therefore, seeking help through traditional psychotherapy is a good first step for emotional relief . Here, the focus will be on healing wounds and working on emotional management . In addition, there are other complementary approaches.
For example, EMDR therapy focuses on processing traumatic memories and associated emotions through directed eye movements. Add to this the exposure technique , which involves gradually exposing oneself to avoided situations or emotions, allowing the trapped memories to be activated and processed safely.
Other forms of manifestation
It is also necessary to explore other forms of expression, useful both to prevent and to release repressed emotions.
Written expression
Writing is like a portal into your innermost world. Words can guide you to greater understanding and liberation.
You can choose the techniques that best suit your needs and preferences; from practicing journaling to writing letters that you will never send, but that will free you from the weight of what is left unsaid. It is a very versatile activity, make the most of it!
Body language
On this path, you should not overlook the role that the body plays. Dancing, exercising, practicing yoga or simply spending time on breathing techniques or body scanning are a huge help in releasing trapped emotions. Ultimately, it is about reconnecting with the body in a more conscious and loving way.
Creative expression
By allowing creativity to flow, you unleash your emotions in a unique and transformative way. In fact, several studies point out that engaging in art is one of the main ways to reduce stress and anxiety levels. So why not explore this healing power in painting, music or theatre?
What you save at the beginning, you pay later
Sometimes we try to ignore or stuff our emotions into the back of our minds, thinking that this will save us from trouble. But the truth is that these emotions don’t just go away; they build up and snowball until they become almost unmanageable.
Although it may seem better to avoid them, sooner or later, we will have to deal with them. To prevent them from taking their toll on us later, it is best to address them when appropriate .
However, in this article we learned that if we reach the point where some of our emotions are encapsulated, all is not lost. With the courage to face such feelings, we can unearth them, understand them, and process them in a healthier and more appropriate way. Remember that professional support also makes a difference in this process.