Dangers of Emotional Repression, Healthy Expression, and Your Nervous System
Feb 20, 2023
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The podcast explores the dangers of emotional repression and the importance of emotional expression for overall health, particularly the nervous system. It discusses the impact of childhood trauma on emotional repression, the consequences to the nervous system, and the importance of finding a safe space to work through emotions. The episode also delves into the effects of emotional repression on the body and the connection between trauma, somatic healing, and generational trauma. Additionally, it touches on epigenetics, emotional regulation, and the importance of trauma awareness.
Expressing emotions is crucial for regulating both our emotional and physical well-being, as failure to do so can lead to stress buildup, increased risk of mental health issues, and a perpetually activated stress response in the nervous system.
Emotional repression, often rooted in childhood trauma and societal norms, has profound effects on the nervous system, altering perception, behavior, and immune response, which can contribute to stress-related illnesses and neurological deficits.
Deep dives
The importance of emotional expression for overall health and nervous system health
Expressing emotions is crucial for regulating not only our emotional self but also our physical body. Failure to express emotions can lead to the buildup of stress, increased risk of depression and anxiety, degradation of social connections, and a perpetual activated stress response in the nervous system. This leads to the release of stress hormones and a decreased ability to thrive in life. Conversely, expressing emotions helps to deactivate stress hormones, promote a state of balance and homeostasis, and improve overall health within the nervous system.
The challenges of experiencing and expressing emotions
Many people struggle to experience and express emotions due to societal norms that discourage emotional expression. Emotions can be suppressed or repressed, either consciously or unconsciously, due to fear of rejection, punishment, or abandonment. Complex PTSD and early childhood trauma can further contribute to the repression of emotions, making it unsafe and risky to express and feel them. Over time, this can lead to a disconnect from one's emotions, difficulty in identifying and expressing emotions in real time, and an inability to set appropriate boundaries and recognize unfair or abusive situations.
The consequences of emotional repression on the nervous system
Emotional repression has far-reaching effects on the nervous system, including neurological, physiological, and immunological changes. It alters perception and changes how one views the world, resulting in a shift in behavior, social connections, and sense of safety. It also leads to an increase in stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol, while decreasing the production of cytokines and immune system cells. This dysregulation and over-activation of the nervous system can weaken the immune response and increase the risk of stress-related illnesses, autoimmune disorders, and neurological deficits.
The role of anger in emotional expression and its physiological impact
Anger serves as a communication tool and a means to release built-up tension in the body. When anger is suppressed or repressed, it can have physiological and neurological consequences. Suppressed anger can increase stress hormones, disrupt metabolic functions, and alter neurotransmitter levels. It can also affect perception, memory, and behavior. Studies have even shown a correlation between suppressed anger and the development of autoimmune diseases, such as MS. Expressing anger in a safe and regulated manner, with the help of tools like somatic practices and nervous system regulation techniques, can support emotional healing and overall well-being.
Why can it be so hard to feel and express emotions? What happens physiologically in the brain and nervous system when anger is stuffed down? Is emotional expression necessary for our physical health? Have these topics been studied, or can we only go off our own experiences?
Hosts Jennifer Wallace and Elisabeth Kristof, and Matt Bush of Next Level Neuro are answering all these questions and more. They break down the ways people with childhood trauma develop repressive behaviors, why emotional expression is crucial for our overall health, and the consequences of emotional repression in the nervous system.
Since repression is a subconscious defense mechanism, it affects our behavior and belief patterns, and changes our perception without us even realizing it. This makes it incredibly hard to change, but after listening to this episode, you’ll better understand how emotional repression impacts the different systems in the body and the power of nervous system regulation.
Tune in to learn how this knowledge can help you or your practice as a healer!
Topics discussed in this episode:
Why emotional expression is important for our health
How childhood trauma affects our capacity to feel and express emotion
Head to https://calendly.com/traumarewired/consultation for a consultation to identify trauma responses in your own life and learn how to train your nervous system to move out of behaviors that aren’t serving you!