Emotions are part of the human experience. They are more than just thoughts and feelings; they are part of a biological process. Every emotion we experience releases chemicals in the body. These chemicals can have a profound effect on one’s overall health.
In maintaining a healthy body, it is important to process and own one’s emotions. Some research suggests that trapped emotions can cause ailments in the body. In the book Feelings Buried Alive Never Die, Karol K. Truman says, “Psychoneuroimmunology is concerned specifically with the impact of mental attitudes on the body’s resistance to disease, especially exploring the links among and between the mind, the brain and the immune system.”
Dr. Bradley Nelson further discusses the possible effects of emotions on health in the book The Emotion Code. “Trapped emotions can cause you to make the wrong assumptions, overreact to innocent remarks, misinterpret behavior and short-circuit your relationships. Even worse, trapped emotions can create depression, anxiety and other unwanted feelings that you can’t seem to shake. They can interfere with proper function of your body’s organs and tissues, wreaking havoc with your physical health, causing pain, fatigue and illness.”
It is important to release the negative emotions we experience by first embracing them. Embrace your emotions by writing them down, meditating, and being honest with yourself and others about your feelings. Dr. Bradley Nelson writes, “Your thoughts are immensely powerful. Whenever you say what you’re thinking or write something down, you’re using the energy of your thoughts to affect the world around you. It is through thought, belief and intention that all things happen.”
Essential oils may further aid in processing and releasing of emotions. They can be diffused, applied topically, or ingested. There are some great tips on how to manage your emotions, including the use of essential oils, in the booklet “What to Do in an Emotional Emergency.”
For further information on which essential oil blends to use and how essential oils can help you embrace and release your emotions, see the Reference Guide For Essential Oils.