HOW EMOTIONS EFFECT THE PHYSICAL BODY.

Why do we feel emotions physically?

Emotions trigger important systems in the body so that we’re adequately prepared for environmental challenges.For example, fear activates your “fight or flight” response. When you’re afraid, your body increases adrenaline and cortisol. You likely feel tense, full of energy, and either ready to fight or run away.Research shows that emotions activate the following systems:

In a 2013 study, researchers created a “map” revealing where different emotions show up in the body.The research team used guided imagery via short stories and movies to induce various emotions in 701 participants. The participants were then asked to color in a body map to depict where they felt increasing or decreasing bodily activity or sensations.Despite being from different parts of the world, the participants showed remarkable similarities in their emotion-body perceptions.The researchers found that most basic emotions were tied to greater activity in the upper chest area, likely corresponding to the emotions’ effects on breathing and heart rate. Sensations were also commonly felt in the head, likely reflecting facial expressions and mental activity.

Long-term physical emotions

When we experience long-term stress, sadness, or anxiety, it can lead to depression, which in turn can lead to significant changes in the body.Depression is commonly linked to pain in the body. In fact, vague aches and pains are often the most notable symptoms of depression.Body symptoms in depression might include the following:

back, joint, or limb pain
stomach and digestive problems
tiredness or fatigue
sleep problems
slowing down of body movements
appetite changes

A 2004 scholarly articleTrusted Source stated that the link between physical pain and depression is deeper than cause and effect. The neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine influence pain and mood, and dysregulation of these chemicals can lead to depression and physical aches.In addition, long-term stress can result in chronic inflammation and a weak immune system. You might be more likely to feel run down and get sick more often.

Suppressing your emotions

When you suppress your emotions and try to keep them from showing in your body, it can lead to health complications and negatively affect those around you.One studyTrusted Source found that people who bottled up their emotions were 30% more likely to die of premature death from all causes, and their risk of being diagnosed with cancer increased by 70%.Emotional suppression may also cause significant problems in communication with others. One study found that when a person suppressed their emotions during a conversation, both the person and their conversation partner exhibited physiological reactions consistent with threat.

Examples of physical emotions

Emotions and physical symptoms go hand-in-hand. It would be very difficult to be angry or happy and not have the emotion radiating off of your body.Here are some of the more common physical sensations of emotions:

Anxiety. Lump in your throat, churning stomach, trembling, dry mouth, sweating, shortness of breath, feeling weak or tense.
Anger. Hot or flushed face, clenched fists or jaw, shaking, jerky body movements.
Joy. Feeling of lightness in your body, warm heart, “butterflies” in your stomach.
Sadness. Feeling of “heartache,” heaviness in your body, tightness in chest, fatigue, drooping face.
Shame. Hot face, lowered eyes, sunken body posture.
Fear. Dizziness, weakness in legs, goosebumps, fast breathing and heart rate.

We also have numerous sayings referring to the mind-body connection:

hot-headed (anger)
hot-blooded (passionate)
heartbroken
getting cold feet (doubt or apprehension)
stomach-dropping news
gut-wrenching anxiety
spine-tingling fear
paralyzed with fear
flushed with anger
nerves of steel (ability to remain calm under pressure)
heart-stopping fear
all bent out of shape (extremely angry or annoyed)
on pins and needles (worry or anticipation)
head over heels in love
gut feeling