Emotion Management: Mind Your Emotions, Heal Your Body

By Rohini Chopra

We know that if we eat the right food, in the right quantities, at the right time, our digestive system will remain healthy. Similarly, if we breathe right our respiratory system will function efficiently. If our hearts are in good shape, and the arteries ensure that blood reaches where it must, our circulatory system is in order. Pathology tests can verify the efficacy of our bodily functions.

But how does one keep in shape an invisible system? Our energy system helps us process prana, chi, ki or the life force. Like food, air or blood, it flows through our bodies, is processed and transformed before leaving us. The manner in which it does this tells us how energetic we are. We need go no further than our body to gauge our emotions. If we are feeling distressed, upset, guilty, angry, irritated or resentful, we can safely assume that energy is leaving our body in fear. If, on the other hand, we are in a joyful, contented, vibrant mood, we are processing our energy lovingly.

All emotions flow from two basic emotions: Love and fear. One group of emotions makes us feel restless and uneasy, the other brings about balance and harmony. We label the two as positive and negative. It also encourages us to accept the happy ones and reject the others. We grow up with the understanding that while it is correct to feel happy, joyful, and grateful, it is in bad form to feel guilty, irritated, stressed or sad. These are emotions, which make us weak and we could be pushed into being a loser, unable to cope. Not only do we get into the habit of being unable to acknowledge what we are feeling but worse, gradually, we begin to suppress those feelings as they arise.

See how naturally this happens. A young child, jealous of his newborn sibling, is made to feel bad about his emotion; when he suffers hurt, he is distracted so he doesn't feel it fully; he is taught that it is brave not to cry. Seeds of emotional processing begin to take root in young, fertile minds. By the time we are adults, we have become outwardly poised, calm individuals, in control of our surroundings and expert at keeping our emotions in careful check.

Where do we hide our feelings? We repress them within - in various parts of our body. Anger hides in our liver, ruining our digestion and creating acidity; responsibility sits heavy on our shoulders; inability to let go of the past, of hurt and resentment causes constipation; financial insecurity might cause us discomfort in our lower back. Although these might seem like generalisations, they are the emotional components of our physical aches and pains. Understanding them can help us heal totally from the most dreaded disease. Will we take responsibility for our emotional health?

Let us learn to manage our emotions. All negative thoughts are caused by a disruption in the body's energy system. By learning a simple routine of tapping certain parts of our face and hands, the end points of energy meridians, these disruptions can be fixed - often within minutes. With awareness, we can lift ourselves out of irritation, restlessness, anxiety, fear and more. We can equally let go of long-term hurts and bitterness. We can manage stress, which needlessly saps our energy. We can also heal physical aches and pains with the same tool.

Once we begin emotion-management, we will begin to feel empowered. We will live in the present moment free of past burdens and future worries. We will learn the meaning of emotional freedom.

Rohini Chopra is a Reiki master and practitioner of hypnotherapy, reflexology  and Emotional Freedom Techniques.