07/10/2025
Emotions might seem simple—just a way for us to process information. But if that’s true, why do they feel so complicated? 😃😅😕😍😡
The answer often lies in judgment. Most of us don’t enjoy discomfort, so when tough emotions arise, we tend to label them as “bad” or “negative.” Then we try to avoid them. But that avoidance can backfire.
Ever reached for a pint of ice cream to quiet your stress? Or poured a glass (or a few) of wine just to take the edge off? These are common, reflexive responses to emotional discomfort. Occasionally, they’re fine. But if they become your default coping methods, they can harm your health.
These behaviors only offer short-term relief. Meanwhile, your emotions are still there, trying to send you a message. And the longer you ignore them, the louder they tend to get. Suppressing emotions doesn’t just affect your mood—it impacts your body too.
For example, a review of 24 studies found that people who were instructed to suppress their emotions during stress showed higher heart rate, blood pressure, and stress hormone levels.²
Over time, this pattern of emotional suppression has been linked to earlier death from a range of health conditions.³ Why? Likely due to the prolonged stress—and the unhealthy coping behaviors that often accompany it.
Sound bleak? Here's the good news: You have a choice. You can’t always control your emotions, but you can choose how to respond to them. And that shift makes a difference.
