𝐈𝐟 𝐖𝐞 𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐂𝐫𝐲, 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐁𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐌𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭:Can Suppressed Emotions Make Us Ill? 

Science doesn’t yet offer conclusive proof that suppressing our emotions directly causes illness. Depression doesn’t equal a cancer diagnosis, and repressed anger doesn’t equal the flu. However, there have been several research studies that have shown that emotional repression can weaken the immune system, which can increase vulnerability to illness and make existing health conditions harder to manage.

When we don’t express our sorrow, when we swallow tears or push sadness down because we tell ourselves that we’re not someone who cries, we’re not someone who wallows etc, our bodies don’t forget. Unfelt emotions get stored, and often show up as tension, fatigue, digestive upset, or a general sense of dis-ease.

Studies in psychosomatic medicine support this, showing clear links between chronic emotional suppression and conditions like muscle pain, gastrointestinal issues, and immune dysfunction. On the other hand, crying has been found to reduce cortisol (the stress hormone) and release oxytocin and endorphins, which help restore emotional balance and physical calm (https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/is-crying-good-for-you-2021030122020?fbclid=IwY2xjawLsfdhleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBMSHY3QmZFVlcwZkpyQk1yAR77NYSgstlaP_wQFLTCoQdNkvO78BLRiTnujxi_PmwXuVN7ZzG_1yTWd1ShYA_aem_CeVU28duHn4R2ILpwlL4mw

Another study by the CALDA Clinic in Switzerland reveal that unexpressed emotion can have long-term consequences, not just mentally but physically too https://caldaclinic.com/physical-consequences-of-burying-emotions/?fbclid=IwY2xjawLsfl9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBMSHY3QmZFVlcwZkpyQk1yAR5ZyYHWOj05mNqSUogy5wk869Z3RYRmAJEHOXJjD7LTOwDF2zmcRXtpazR0RQ_aem_P6oPbRci-7vnoHHM3vXfrA

There are other studies too from around the world.  Please let me know if you would like links to them.

So no, your sadness won’t cause a disease on its own. But holding it all in and smiling, whilst inside you feel you could cry for ever can take a toll on your body.  Sometimes clients tell me that they’re afraid to start crying because if they did, they would never stop.  We all know that that’s not going to happen, but it’s that fear of not being in control, of suddently being vulnerable when that might not be safe, of being truly seen when we don’t want to be.

But this is the truth. You are allowed to cry. You are allowed to feel. You don’t need a crisis to justify your tears.

Sometimes, letting them out is the most honest and healing thing you can do.

What do you think?

With warmth,

Samantha