Healthy, Safe, Natural Ways to Process Emotions
Since the human body is part of the world of nature — indeed, is a natural microcosm in itself — it is subject to the same laws that govern the universe. — Serizawa
Mind and Body are linked. The surest way to bring harmony back to the mind is through the body. Breathing, yoga asana, exercise, unscripted body movement, screaming into a pillow, dancing, martial arts, meditation, or simply relaxing.
Emotions are a very important part of our inner world, our direct lived-experience. They show up to disturb us, teach us, reveal something, shake something loose, or bring us closer to something. Emotions are energy in motion and we must be careful to not block the flow of energy, as it flows from a much larger source. We have the critical task of surrendering to energy and letting go of our attachment to whatever is keeping us in the flow.
1. Get in your body and pay attention to what is happening in there. Create some distance from what you’re feeling in order to observe it as well as feel it. This is key. Sit with the body and notice where the emotion is felt. Is it a sunken feeling in your chest? Is it a sort of knotting sensation in your gut? Does it feel like your ears are on fire? Does it feel like every energy channel just opened wide and your heart feels like it is bursting from a well?
All of these represent the felt experience of different emotions. From sadness and rage to elation and ecstatic joy, we are equipped with the very unique ability to understand reality and ourselves in a multitude of ways. This is exciting and is not something to be feared, or scared to experience. I’ve found that the more I let go and surrender to the flow of life, the more beautiful and richer the experience of living becomes.
2. Get someone else involved, and this does not always have to be a therapist. I have discovered that we heal through one another. We are radically interconnected and beautifully in relation with each other, and because of this we become natural physicians to each another, but only if we open ourselves to learning from everyone and everything, along with disclosing ourselves to others (letting our deepest selves be seen). Does this oftentimes feel risky and vulnerable? Yes, naturally. Let go of the apprehension and simply see what arises. Learn from whatever happens next.
3. Take deep breaths. Anger is hot so instead of boiling in it take some deep breaths and release whatever is attached to your thoughts. Ego is dependent on thoughts and clings to them. When we can release our mind’s attachment to something consuming us, we free ourselves from an inner prison. When you breathe in, try to open your throat and chest as much as possible as the air fills you. Imagine bright white air filling your insides as if you are filling a pail. Let the air flow all the way down to the bottom of your feet and feel it smooth out any and all tension. If you cannot feel this, keep breathing.
4. Scream into a pillow or scream in the car. I hope it surprises you how effective this is and wonderful it can feel.
5. Yoga, yoga, yoga! Any forms of body movement and exercise will inspire stored emotional energy to start moving. This is why when we run or walk thoughts will arise into the forefront of consciousness. Move the body and recognize whatever comes up, reflect on it, then let it go. Yoga (asana) is an incredible way to bring mind and body into one emotional-healing-moving-unit.
6. Go to therapy. Having a neutral, third-party agent to vocalize repressed pain to is one of the most effective ways to get all that shit out of your body.