Emotions

Although most physicians agree that emotions play a role in the aggravation of existing physical disorders, it is not widely accepted that emotions actually cause the physical disorder. An entire field of science called psychoneuroimmunology studies the effects of emotions on the nervous and immunological systems functions.

Our bodies get diseased when stressful feelings are not expressed. When one is chronically stressed, as when feeling any intense ‘negative’ emotion such as sadness, anxiety and anger, increased amounts of stress hormones such as cortisol are released.

Stress can come in the form of fear, uncertainty, lack of control, helplessness and even lack of information which all raise stress-related molecules. Levels especially increase when the basic needs for protection, support, love and emotional fulfillment are not met.

Prolonged periods of elevated levels of stress molecules cause arteries to stiffen (arteriosclerosis) and increase the occurrences of fatigue, colds, bronchitis, congestions, cancers, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Researcher Robert Anda noted that the cumulative, long-term and invasive effects of stressful or traumatic events are “likely to be invisible to health care providers, educators, social service organizations, and policy makers because the linkage between cause and effect is concealed by time.”

With regards to breast cancer, epidemiologic evidence in the area of stress and breast cancer outlines several trends. Firstly, the stress most strongly associated with increased breast cancer risk appears to be stress induced by major life events, whereas findings regarding work-related, caregiving, or everyday stress vary considerably.

Interesting to note is that the timing of stress exposure also has an effect on breast cancer risk, with early life stress exhibiting the strongest association with breast cancer. When children are raised in dysfunctional (abusive, controlling) households, they are not emotionally supported, are not taught how to diffuse the stress and thus, suppress toxic emotions, and eventually shut down emotionally.  Many of us were not taught how to be resilient.

Regardless of the dysfunction, the results are immediate and also create long-lasting emotional and psychological suffering. Jung noted that the enduring emotional impact of childhood neglect and wounding “remains hidden all along from the [person], so that not reaching consciousness, the emotion never wears itself out, it is never used up.”

Resilient people acknowledge and express feelings without being overwhelmed by them. They also exhibit personality traits that strengthen their ability to cope such as believing in the importance of what they are doing; believing that they have some power to influence or control their situation; and viewing life’s changes as positive opportunities rather than as threats.

For the most part, we live in an emotionally illiterate society and are not practiced in expressing and receiving feelings. We often feel embarrassed or vulnerable when talking about certain feelings.  We silence ourselves so we might not hurt someone about how we feel. Ironically, we end up hurting our bodies and souls when we withhold what we feel and want.

We hurt our souls when we negate our emotions because emotions are there to let us know that a choice or situation does or does not match what is right for us. Feelings connect with the ability to notice and trust our gut reactions. When we don’t fully feel we become detached from our intuition and we may begin to question our ability to make the right decision.

When we don’t express feelings and wants they show up in behaviours such as gossip, sarcasm, blaming, displaced anger, the silent-treatment, lying and compliance. These actions show a passive-aggressive style rather than an assertiveness mode of communication. Unfortunately, many of us were not modeled or taught this healthy way of communication.

Although most physicians agree that emotions play a role in the aggravation of existing physical disorders, it is not widely accepted that emotions actually cause the physical disorder. Dr. John Sarno, author of, The Divided Mind: The Epidemic of Mindbody Disorders, outlines two types of psychosomatic disorders, those caused entirely by emotions (e.g., irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers, allergies) and those caused in part by emotions (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, cancer).

Our body gets diseased when stressful feelings are not expressed. When one is chronically stressed, as when feeling any intense negative emotion such as sadness, anxiety, and especially anger, increased amounts of stress hormones such as cortisol are released. These prolonged periods of elevated levels of hormones cause arteries to stiffen (arteriosclerosis) and increase the occurrences of fatigue, colds, bronchitis, congestions, cancers and rheumatoid arthritis.

Our personality influences the way we handle emotions. Cancer specialist Dr. W. Brodie and many other researchers have linked the Type-C personality, characterized by the suppression of anger and resentment and by a strong tendency to be nice, non-assertive and people-pleasers, to a higher incident of certain cancers (e.g., breast).

If we are risk-takers, we may be more likely to partake in a lifestyle which has less emphasis on healthy choices (e.g., diet, smoking, alcohol, attending medical check-ups, etc.)

Physician Gabor Mate’s book, When the Body Says No, and his informative videos (drgabormate.com) are great resources for emotions-disease theory. Babette Rothschild’s classic book, The Body Remembers, links trauma/abuse with disease.

Often listed as a quality we appreciate in others, humour has a double-edged effect.

On one hand, humour, defined as the noticing of the amusing or ironic truth of a situation, results in laughter which has psychological, emotional and physiological benefits.

Laugher stimulates chemical changes in the brain that help buffer our bodies against the cumulative effects of stress. Laughter stimulates the release of endorphins that elevate mood, helping depressive symptoms. It also aids in lowering blood pressure.

Laughter releases tension in the muscles of the face, neck, shoulders and abdomen, all common areas where tension tends to be held.

Laughter acts as a social signal and synchronizes the brains of speaker and listener so that they are emotionally attuned. Most of what makes people laugh is not thigh-slapping jokes but subtle comments made related to the current conversation.

Considering this connecting nature of laughter, it is not surprizing that laughter is contagious. We are drawn to it.

Neuroscientist Robert Provine concluded that laughter establishes a positive emotional climate and a sense of connection between two people especially when it comes to partner selection.

Provine found that men enjoy women who laugh heartily in their presence. Females laugh 126% more than males and males are the primary laugh-getters. Interesting to note, the female laughter is the critical index of a healthy relationship. He also found that laughter in relationships declines dramatically as people age.

However, we must be aware of the misuse of humour and laughter.

Humor can serve as an unhealthy way to avoid conflict in relationships. People may appear as always good-natured and happy because they are always laughing, yet; upon closer observation there are deeper issues occurring.

At times, people may giggle at the end of their sentences. This giggling gives a subliminal psychological effect of avoiding conflict by telling the listener, “I’m frightened of conflict, so please don’t take seriously anything I say, lest you be offended by it and want to challenge me.”

Giggling often indicates regressive behaviour, more noticeably in women. Are we afraid to assert ourselves? Have we taken on the ‘nice’ or little girl role, laughing unconsciously at our partner’s or other’s actions just to avoid real or perceived conflict or merely to be liked?

We’ve heard the saying, ‘there’s a grain of truth in every joke.’ Well, it is true. For example, in the comment, “Oops, I almost spilled my coffee on you. Tee-hee,” the laughter is used to disguise an aggressive impulse or unconscious desire. Thus, the laughter reveals the truth – the person would very much like to spill coffee over another. Sarcasm works in a similar way and is not a form of humour – rather, it is a form of aggression.

Whether sarcasm or giggling, our work is to become aware of what we are indirectly saying instead of ‘using our words’ in more assertive ways. We can also respectfully ask others, “Tell me what you really think.”

As the number of grey skies noticeable outnumber the sunny days, we often hear about ‘Seasonal Affective Disorder’ or SAD. Symptoms of SAD may consist of difficulty waking up in the morning, tendency to oversleep and over eat (especially carbohydrates), lack of energy, difficulty concentrating, and withdrawal from friends, family and social activities. All these lead to a general lack of pleasure, a pessimistic outlook and even depression.

For some, SAD can truly be a debilitating condition. However, for those experiencing milder symptoms we can regard them as part of our psyches’ natural seasonal rhythm and cycle. Our winter ways are normal responses to the decreased light and energy output that characterize winter as a time of symbolic death and hibernation.

Winter is part of the cycle of the seasons and represents a time of stillness and going within. Just as bulbs lie dormant and bears hibernate, so the psyche instinctively lowers (‘depresses’) its energy or libido level during winter.

Winter is the also the face of death, as not everything will be renewed and transformed in the spring. In winter, everything is striped bare to the essentials. Although there is no outward growth during winter, this does not mean that nothing is going on. In the outward void lies the inward potential of a new life force when the warmth of the sun returns.

Greg Currie’s Soliloquy of the Dark Lord of Winter reminds us of winter’s purpose: “I am also peaceful and quiet. …I am the intellect turned inwards, Where thoughtful insight and wisdom is found. You may find me in the quietness of your thoughts, … For I am the recession of rest after the exertion of growth. Claiming back to the earth, that which was taken in life. Without me there would be no release or respite.”

Winter is a great time to review the last year. We ask – What do I need to let go of? What patterns of behaviour no longer serve me? The start of winter is also the time to plant the seeds to your dreams. Ask yourself – What do I want to put my energy into next? What direction is my psyche leaning towards?

Winter is not about action or outward production; it is about looking within and nurturing ourselves. It is about stillness and listening to the inner wisdom in order to provide the catalyst for growth in the spring.

In winter, we symbolically wrap ourselves in warm blankets that aid psyche’s rest, regeneration and contemplation. Pets, fires, incense, essential oils, candles, stones, music and plants can enhance our surroundings during these times.

Embrace this time by accepting the need for resting, waiting, reflecting, unwinding, letting go, and renewing yourself. Gentle, non-strenuous exercise, long walks particularly in sunshine, through forests and/or near flowing water or the ocean, warm baths, restful music, and meditation all help nourish the psyche during the winter. When winter is seen with this perspective, we may even begin to befriend the Dark Lord.