Bottling Up Emotions: The Hidden Cost

Send us a text Have you ever noticed your shoulders creeping toward your ears during a stressful day? Or caught yourself holding your breath without realizing it? These physical manifestations might be trying to tell you something profound about your emotional state. In this deeply relatable episode, we dive into the fascinating world of bottled emotions and the surprising toll they take on our bodies and relationships. Drawing from both personal experiences and therapeutic insights, we explore why so many of us unconsciously repress our feelings instead of learning to regulate them in healthy ways. The conversation takes unexpected turns as we examine how modern communication patterns—texting instead of calling, avoiding eye contact with service workers, and even our addiction to constant phone accessibility—have created new barriers to authentic emotional expression. We share vulnerable moments from our own lives, including how the COVID pandemic forced us to reevaluate our relationship with isolation and connection. Most compelling is our discussion of "emotional trance"—that autopilot mode where we move through life barely noticing our feelings until something or someone interrupts our patterns. These pattern interrupts, while sometimes uncomfortable, might be exactly what we need to reconnect with ourselves and others in meaningful ways. For anyone who"s ever wondered why they feel physical pain during emotional distress, or why certain feelings seem impossible to express even to those closest to them, this episode offers both validation and practical insights. You"ll learn the difference between unhealthy repression and skillful regulation, and how simple practices like making eye contact, breathing deeply, or having one real conversation each week can transform your emotional landscape. Join us for this thought-provoking exploration of what it truly means to feel our emotions in an increasingly disconnected world. We"d love to hear your thoughts on Instagram @getrealpodcast about how you navigate your own emotional terrain. Support the show Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Channel Follow us on Social Media