Humans are emotional creatures. Just look at a child, they will express a huge range of emotions in just one day, sometimes in one hour!

As we get older we are expected to control our emotions, and not let our emotions rule us. But at what cost? When does self regulation become censorship? Many people don't feel comfortable sharing their intense emotions with others. Some don't want to burden their friends or family with their problems. There is so much fear and shame surrounding strong emotions, there is fear of judgement, fear of loosing control. When does control become denial?

Emotions are energy. Emotions pulse through the body and mind 5 times faster than cognitive thought. That why you can often "know" something before you can even decipher it. Physically your body reacts to each emotion. Your heart rate can increase, your body temperature can change, your digestion can slow. When you suppress the emotions you also suppress the energy. Denying your emotions can make you physically ill. Some people will get a stomach ache, others a headache, still others' skin will break out in acne or hives. That energy has go somewhere, it either comes out as you express the emotion, or it gets driven deeper inside, affecting your bodily systems and organs.

Suppressed emotions can show up in your body as illness, pain or dysfunction. Grief is often held in the lungs, anger is held in the liver, worry effects the spleen, tight hamstrings could be a sign that you are unable to let go of the past, stress is often carried as tension in the shoulders, and sore hips often hold a multitude of emotions including, worry, sadness and trauma. Looking at the emotional root cause of each ailment can help the physical healing.

Emotional Wellness

What can you do to feel better emotionally?

First of all you need to tune into your body. Pay attention to your emotions as they happen. Acknowledge your emotions, practice self empathy, make small changes to accept the way you feel. You are not flawed, you are human. Recognize your triggers. Can you change the circumstances so you don't feel the way you are, or explore why a certain situation or person triggers you, so that you no longer react negatively. Are you really angry at what your friend said? Or are you still upset from feeling belittled at work? If you can process and accept your emotions as they happen, there is less to build up in your body. Find ways to express your emotions that work best for you. Writing, talking about it, practicing deep breathing, journaling, exercising, and creating art are just some activities you can try. Each person is different. Find what works best for you.

Get balanced. Hormonal imbalances (post partum, menopause, birth control, puberty), poor blood sugar control, thyroid imbalances, high cortisol levels and adrenal fatigue can all compromise the way your handle your emotions. When your body is unbalanced your mind is too. Hormone balancing is one of my specialties. Contact Lisa for your consultation today.

Eat Right. Nutritional deficiencies can aggravate your emotional state. Anxiety and depression can both be greatly improved with proper nutritional support. Eating a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables and healthy fats can help you feel better overall, keep your hormones balanced and your emotions more even. A Nutritional Consultant can help assess any nutritional deficiencies and recommend supplements or dietary changes.

Proper sleep is super important in order to properly express your emotions. It is easy to become hypersensitive and irritable when you are tired. Check out my blog on Insomnia for ideas to get more sleep.

Practice self care, do something you really enjoy, something pleasurable. It doesn't have to be big. It can be as simple as using a pretty mug to have your favourite tea in. Having fresh flowers in the house or at your workspace. Lighting candles and putting on some music while you eat. Savour the simplest pleasures. Pause to take it all in. Find joy daily. Do something that feeds your soul.

Connect. Isolation can encourage brooding. Connect to your community. Talk to a friend. Join a group. Volunteer. Serving others can be a wonderful mood booster.

Journal your thoughts and feelings. The good and the bad. It can be deeply satisfying to write out all your anger and frustration on paper and then burn it. Don't forget to journal your joys, things that made you laugh, and gratitudes too. Keep these in a nice notebook so you can look back on them when you are having a rough day.

Getting moving. Emotions are energy. The stronger the emotion, the more energy it holds. Express it kinetically, go for a walk, a run, ride a bike, dance, lift weights, punch a heavy bag, whatever you need to do to release that pent up energy safely. Try this simple stretching routine to help center the mind and body.

Get Grounded. Nature is one of the best healers. Get outside. Experience it. Embrace the air, the smells, the light. Time spent outside is one of the best therapies to lift your mood and change your perspective.

Relax- Take some time just for you, no demands, no expectations, just relax. This can be part of your self care. Take some time to breath deeply, experience silence, read, take a bath, let yourself unwind.

Know when to ask for help. Don't wait until your emotions become too much. Talk to someone. Get the help you need to feel healthy again.

Homeopathy

A complete Homeopathic Interview can be an emotional experience. Clients have a safe place to openly share their thoughts, feelings, fears and deepest concerns. Just having the space to voice to all these emotions is often therapeutic in itself. For me it is an essential part of each person's case. In order to provide true lasting healing, we can not separate the emotional aspects from the physical ailments, they are interconnected.

One of the reasons I fell in love with homeopathy was the beautiful way it works with emotions. Almost every homeopathic remedy has an emotional component to it. But the remedies don't work the way that psychotropic drugs to. Homeopathic remedies do not suppress the emotions, they help the body and mind integrate and process the emotions. Homeopathic remedies help people feel centered and grounded again, so they can move forward. As always they work best when matched to the individual person's full symptoms and situation.

*all removed to comply with the government’s censorship of promoting natural health products. Demand a repeal of Bill 47 sections 500-504. see www.nhppa.org for more information

Some people can react to homeopathic treatment with what I like to call "Emotional Detox." This can be a time when all those bottled up emotions come back to the surface to be cleared. I always warn my clients of this possibility when working with the emotions, and ask them to be gentle with themselves, allow themselves the space and time to process it all properly. Everything that is suppressed will continue create circumstances so that you have to deal with it eventually.

I'm not a psychologist or a psychiatrist. Although I do love psychology and am a student of it. I am highly empathetic and a good listener. I am always honoured when someone feels they can share their deepest emotions with me.

One last thing: it's ok to be vulnerable, to be real, to show that your life isn't perfect. It's ok to feel. I have found great freedom in being honest, real and vulnerable. It's time to put down the mask and let the world see You.

Much love,

Lisa

How do you handle your emotions? How do you talk to your kids about their emotions?

For more information on Emotional Wellness, check out these links:

The information provided here is for educational purposes only. For treatment please seek a qualified health care provider.