Sometimes, during dark periods in our lives, we find ourselves at a loss to name or understand our emotions. This can be incredibly frustrating, leaving us feeling helpless and overwhelmed. From an early age, we have all learned to some extent, that we need to protect ourselves and others by suppressing or avoiding emotions deemed "unacceptable" such as anger, fear or grief. We employ coping mechanisms such as alcohol, drugs, food, distractions such as overworking, humour to laugh off our feelings or daydreaming to disassociate ourselves instead of being fully present. 

It's not surprising that many of us are totally out of touch with our feelings and also the signals our bodies send us when our health is declining. Kinesiology muscle testing is invaluable for identifying stuck emotions, traumas and old wounds that we habitually hide from ourselves and others. 

Gaining an awareness of our emotions is probably the most important tool we have for any type of healing. Physical, spiritual and mental imbalances all have emotional components. These imbalances are most deeply healed when emotions are released at the same time as applying a physical correction, such as acupressure or massage. The advantage of clearing emotions along with performing physical corrections is that the next time we feel those emotions we are less likely to slide back into old outdated coping mechanisms. Most of us have experienced relief and clearer thinking after crying. Similarly when emotions are cleared in a kinesiology session we feel a deep sense of relief and clarity. 

Here are 5 health benefits to be gained from releasing trapped emotions:

1. Prevents disease: Concealing or suppressing emotions causes congestion in our energy flow and deprives our bodies of the energy required for growth and repair. Invariably this leads to health problems down the track. "If we are blocked in some way and thus impair the flow of energy at any level of the system, disease results...proper energy output at the level of our emotional energy structure is also essential for the attainment and maintenance of high-level wellness." Richard Gerber M.D., Vibrational Medicine.

2. Boosts your vitality: Whether or not we suppress emotions such as anger, worry and grief consciously or unconsciously the result is the same. Our energy reserves are drained. "It is not the intensity of an emotion but rather the extended duration of an emotional state that can rob you of your energy and vitality." Robbie Zeck ND. The Blossoming Heart.

3. Gives you confidence: Developing an awareness of the ways we habitually suppress or avoid emotions and learning techniques to release emotions as they arise allows us to become more grounded and unshakeable when faced with challenges. Instead of moving into flight or fight mode in times of stress we develop new constructive strategies for dealing with adversity. As we continue to practise releasing emotions we become more confident at dealing with stresses, traumas and healing old wounds. This confidence is invaluable as it allows us to envisage and create a bright and vibrant future.

4. Detoxifies your body: Tears are an effective tool for releasing emotions. Many of us avoid crying or find it difficult because we live in a society where tears are often seen as a sign of weakness. Dr Judith Orloff explores the amazing health benefits of emotional tears in her book Emotional Freedom: Liberate Yourself From Negative Emotions and Transform Your Life. Interestingly tears contain stress hormones and other toxins which are released from the body during crying. Sometimes however crying can lead to a bottomless pit of emotion where we can feel as if floodgates have opened and we just seem to cry and cry and cry with no relief. This is not a beneficial form of crying. Kinesiology balancing can help to release hidden emotions or traumas that may be involved in these situations.

5. Reduces pain and tension: As any massage therapist, kinesiologist, cranial-sacral therapist or any other body work specialist will tell you, emotions have a way of becoming trapped in our tissues. Prolonged unreleased anxiety, guilt or anger will result in increasingly tense and eventually hypertonic muscles. This is commonly the cause of ailments such as back and neck pain. Releasing trapped emotions through kinesiology, massage, exercise or stretching results in the elimination or reduction of pain.

So how do we go about releasing emotions?

You can avoid blockages caused by unreleased emotions by using a technique called Emotional Stress Release (ESR) regularly in times of stress. It's such a simple way to help keep your energy flow unobstructed so you can continue moving towards greater health and vitality. 

The easiest way to use ESR is to simply place your hand across your forehead. This increases energy, blood flow and activity to this part of the brain so we effectively rise up and out of an emotional and reactive state.

Breathe deeply and think about a stressful situation and the all the emotions involved. Consider the situation as it is by playing it through several times in your mind. Then visualise how you would like the situation to be resolved. Because you have activated your prefrontal cortex you will be less emotional, more rational and better able to make choices based on the big picture. 

This technique activates our prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain responsible for processes such as decision making and goal setting. It's where we choose whether or not to act on emotional impulses. This area is ideal for decision making because it seems to be free of emotional activity. The prefrontal cortex controls motivation, organisation and focus. Basically it is the part of the brain that likes to get things done. It's the calm colleague with all the post it notes and to do lists. The prefrontal cortex is the cool and collected friend who is able to show you the bigger picture and make you see sense while tactfully steering you clear of that block of chocolate you thought was the answer to all your problems. That's right, your prefrontal cortex is that guy who is great in a crisis. 

So next time you are feeling the squeeze try some ESR and notice how your body feels. It’s a simple but effective tool that you can use to bring yourself back into a state of calm and well-being while keeping those emotions flowing rather than stagnating.

Author - Kinesiologist, Jeanne Santosa from Glow Kinesiology.