Conversation – 16

Denying Your Feelings

Denying your feelings is not only unhealthy for the mind and body — it may also rob you of valuable information you could be learning about yourself.

Dealing with powerful emotions can be challenging, especially when we are going through chaotic, sad, or cruel experiences in our lives. Often, it can seem like we have only two options for dealing with our feelings so they don’t become too overwhelming. We may let our feelings out in an immediate and visceral way, or we may bottle them up by suppressing our emotions inside our bodies. Most people make the second choice, repressing their feelings in an attempt to deny them. The truth is that there are many positive ways to deal with emotions, and experiencing your negative feelings doesn’t have to constitute a negative experience. Denying your feelings is not only unhealthy for the mind and the body, but it may also rob you of valuable information you could be learning about yourself and your life. Suppressing your emotions can even impede your short-term memory. Acknowledging your feelings can help you better understand them and help you recover naturally from change, stress, and grief.

If you find that facing your feelings head on is proving too difficult during times of emotional distress, you may want to explore alternative ways of expressing them. Otherwise, the emotions you deny could morph into unconscious anger or self-hatred. Expressing your thoughts to friends or family can be helpful. If you don’t feel ready to share them, try giving them words by writing down what you are feeling. Give whatever you are feeling simple words like “livid” or “angry” or “excited” You can also funnel your feelings into a creative outlet, physical exercise, or chores. Even just accepting and speaking your feelings out loud to yourself can be a healing release. In releasing intense emotions, it is most beneficial to acknowledge the feelings, allow yourself to feel them, and let the feelings go. Those who are willing to experience and release their feelings without judgment also find that their lives become less stressful. Breathing deeply, going for a long walk, or doing a constructive task can help you respond to your feelings in a healthy way.

While burying negative or uncomfortable feelings can numb the pain, it also may inevitably dull your ability to experience your more positive and pleasurable feelings. You may find yourself afraid to open up in the future for fear of getting hurt. The feelings we deny aren’t limited to anger and sadness. Suppressing our happiness or excitement can be just as unhealthy. In learning how to express your intense emotions in a healthy way, you are giving yourself the freedom to fully experience the more joyful emotions that come with being alive

AMEN! 😎

@kittengirl,

Good Morning in California Kitten thinking of you and your family.
Please be safe give the kitties all kitty hugs as you always say. 😎

Cherie,

Good Morning in S. Cali wishing you and the children a safe week. 😘💕

@shoelady60,

Good afternoon in the ‘burgh. Here is to a nice day with Jake and hubby. 😎

Oz is beautiful today just stunning. We are getting the yards ready for our new
flowers. 💕😎

Please let me know how your sister in California is doing after her Vaccine. 🌹
I wish her well. 😎

Glad you are almost done with your painting. Hubby painted our guest bathroom and
did some more when I discovered some other areas needed his special touch. 🤣
This is from my Honey-Do List.

Give Jake a nice OZ hug from Poppy and I. 😘

@71flowerchild,

Howdy in Texas wishing you safe travels. Have a nice vacation. I have a lot going on
so maybe by the time you get back I will have a lot done. Enjoy the drive with your
sister and the fur babies. Be safe. 😘💕

Just smile if you see these along the way. 😎

@taci,

Good Morning in S. California thanks for the heads up on your post yesterday.
All I had received was a card reminding me to schedule a mammogram as part
of my medical check-up. I have a call in to the doctor and I am waiting to see how
to schedule a covid-19 vaccine and a mammogram. If I can get the mammogram
out of the way that can clear things so I have a 4 week cycle for the vaccine to take
effect. Yeah decisions, decisions. That’s Life. 😎

If you are not busy this afternoon Heidi Daus will be on HSN. 💕

Enjoy the trails and I hope you see something beautiful. 😘😎💕

@oodiebom,

Good Afternoon in Florida to you and hubby. So glad everything is working out with
your vaccine. Oodie I am waiting on a call from one of my doctor concerning a
scheduled mammogram and the Covid Vaccine.

I did read your post from earlier and I did express how I felt. No worries. 😎

I would not do much of anything today I would just stay hydrated and take it easy.

Oz is beautiful today but it will not last long we still have more chilly days to come.
I am fine with that I will just wait to plant when I see another 14 day forecast. 😘

@bichon18,

Good afternoon in Florida Amy here is to a safe day for you and Jerry. 😎💕
Let me know how you are doing. Give Chloe and Little Ari a nice OZ pet. 🤣

@ddshoppy,

Good Morning in S. California how are you doing? How is the new baby? I hope this
is a good and safe day for you and the family. 😎 Enjoy the beautiful spring weather. 💕

@defg,

Good day in Maryland I hope you are doing well after your vaccine.
Welcome to Spring. 😎Get some sleep. 🤣

@loaf,

Good Morning to you and hubby. Loaf I hope you are doing well. Just wishing
you a good and safe spring. 😎😘💕