What Happens If We Press Emotions? Turns out, it affects physical and mental health

YOGYAKARTA - Suppressing emotions is often considered a sign of maturity and mental strength. Many people choose to be silent, pretend to be fine, or distract themselves so that they don't have to deal with uncomfortable feelings. In fact, the habit of suppressing emotions can actually have serious consequences, not only for mental health, but also for your physical health. Then, what happens when emotions are suppressed? How is it healthier to manage feelings?

Since childhood, some of us are used to receiving messages that certain emotions should not be shown. Crying is considered weak, anger is considered impolite, while fear is often equated with being less brave. Unconsciously, this pattern forms a habit to keep emotions close, as if feelings would disappear by themselves if ignored. In fact, suppressed emotions don't really go away, but are held in the body and mind.

When you suppress emotions, the brain still records and stores them, writes clinical psychologist Leigh W. Jerome, Ph.D. reported by Psychology Today, Monday, January 19. Unrecognized feelings do not stop working, but continue to affect the way the body responds to stress.

Emotions that are held back can make the nervous system in a state of alert longer than it should be, so that the body is difficult to return to a relaxed state. This is why people who often suppress feelings tend to feel tired quickly, easily tense, or have trouble sleeping even though they don't know the exact cause.

In the long run, unprocessed emotions can appear in the form of physical complaints. Frequent headaches, digestive disorders, muscle pain, and reduced immunity are often related to hidden emotional stress. Mentally, this habit can also trigger feelings of emptiness, irritability, excessive anxiety, or even symptoms of depression.

Not only does it affect the body and mind, suppressing emotions also affects the way you relate to others. Feelings that are never revealed tend to appear in the form of indirect reactions, such as irritability, withdrawal, or difficulty communicating honestly. Relationships become dull or tense because emotional needs are never really conveyed.

In addition, when you are used to ignoring your own emotions, you can also have trouble understanding other people's feelings. Empathy becomes blunt because you are used to staying away from the emotional world, both your own and those around you.

Dealing with emotions does not mean being overwhelmed or completely controlled by the feelings. The simplest first step is to acknowledge what you are feeling. Giving names to emotions, such as sad, angry, disappointed, or anxious, helps the brain process the experience more structured. This process can reduce the intensity of emotions and make your response more controllable.

Giving space for feelings also means letting emotions come without judging yourself. You don't have to immediately look for a solution or get rid of it. In some situations, talking to a trusted person or a professional can help you understand emotions in a safer and healthier way.

Suppressing emotions may feel like a shortcut to staying strong, but the impact can backfire. Suppressed emotions do not disappear, but are stored and affect your physical, mental health, and relationship quality. By starting to realize and process feelings slowly, you give your body and mind the opportunity to work more balanced. Facing emotions is not a sign of weakness, but an important step towards better mental health and a more complete life.