In the intricate tapestry of human experience, our emotions play a pivotal role in shaping our perceptions, behaviours, and interactions. Yet, many of us struggle to understand the profound connection between our emotions and our physical bodies. Just as a cupboard stores various items, our bodies house our emotional experiences—both joyful and painful. By exploring this metaphor, we can begin to see how our physical state reflects our emotional health and how we can cultivate a deeper awareness of ourselves.
The Metaphor of the Emotional Cupboard
Imagine your body as a cupboard where each shelf represents different emotional experiences. On one shelf, you might find the joy of love and connection, while another shelf holds the weight of grief, anxiety, or trauma. Over time, as we encounter various life experiences, we add items to our emotional cupboard—sometimes with care, and sometimes we shove things in without acknowledgment.
Just like a cluttered cupboard can become overwhelming and sometimes bursting open, so too can our emotional state when we ignore or suppress our feelings. When we fail to feel our emotions, they can accumulate and affect our physical health, leading to stress, tension, and even illness.
The Connection Between Emotions & Physical Health
Research has shown that there is a significant link between our emotional well-being and our physical health. Stress and unresolved emotional issues can manifest in various physical symptoms, such as muscle tension, headaches, digestive problems, and fatigue. This connection is often referred to as psychosomatic illness, where the mind and body are interlinked in ways that influence overall health.
For example, unresolved trauma may lead to chronic pain or tension in specific areas of the body. When we experience emotional pain, our bodies may respond with tightness, bracing, or even illness, as if to protect ourselves from further hurt. This is our body’s way of communicating that something needs attention, much like a cupboard that overflows with items that need to be sorted and addressed.
Great books that delve into this more deeply are When the Body Says No by Gabor Mate , The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van de Kolk and The Body Remembers by Babette Rothschild’s
The Importance of Acknowledgment and Release
To create a healthier emotional cupboard, we must first acknowledge the items we’ve stored away. This requires self-reflection and honest connection with our feelings. Are there emotions you’ve been avoiding? Are there experiences you’ve tucked away but haven’t fully processed? Taking the time to identify these feelings is the first step toward healing.
Once we’ve acknowledged our emotions, the next step is to release them. This can be achieved through various methods:
1. Journaling
Writing down your thoughts and feelings can help clarify and release emotions that you may have been holding onto.
2. Talk Therapy
Engaging in conversations with a trauma-informed therapist can provide a safe space to explore and process deep-seated emotions.
3. Somatic Practices
Techniques such as yoga, breathwork, Qigong, Tai Chi, or dance can help release stored tension in the body and promote emotional healing.
4. Mindfulness and Meditation
Practicing mindfulness can help you become more aware of your emotions and physical sensations, fostering a sense of acceptance and allowing for release.
5. TRE® (Tension & Trauma Release Exercises)
Learning TRE® to access our natural tremor reflex allows you to safely release both physical tension and supressed emotions to promote healing and emotional balance.
Creating More Space In Your Emotional Cupboard
Just as we can clear out an overstuffed cupboard, we can create a healthier emotional space within ourselves by establishing practices that promote emotional well-being. Here are some tips to help you maintain your emotional cupboard:
- Regular Check-Ins. Schedule time for self-reflection to check-in with your emotional state. Stop, take a breath, notice how you feel, what do you need?
- Set Boundaries: Protect your emotional space by learning to say no and prioritising your self-care. This prevents new emotional clutter from accumulating.
- Seek Support. Surround yourself with supportive individuals who encourage open communication and healthy emotional expression.
- Seek Professional Support. Work with a professional trauma-informed therapist, body worker or practitioner who is experienced in processing emotion somatically (working with the body sensations).
- Embrace Vulnerability. Allow yourself to be vulnerable and learn how to express your emotions in a healthy way. This can create deeper connections with others and foster a sense of belonging. Follow Brene Brown to learn more .
Conclusion
Understanding that our bodies serve as emotional cupboards opens the door to a deeper awareness of ourselves. By recognising the connection between our physical and emotional states, we can begin to heal and create a more connected and nurturing inner world.
As we journey through life, let’s commit to regularly checking in on our emotional cupboards. Let’s stop stuffing away emotions and learn how to come into feeling so we can process what’s there. Your body is a vessel of your experiences. Joe Dispenza says “a memory without the emotional charge is wisdom”. When you learn to embrace your emotions, you can discover a more harmonious relationship with yourself and ultimately a more peaceful, happier, healthier life
If you want to find out my approach and how I might be able to help you empty your emotional cupboard, book a free 30 minute call with me.
