Anxiety is a common experience that many of us struggle with daily. But have you ever wondered why we develop anxiety? Understanding the root cause of anxiety can be a powerful step towards healing and self-compassion.
Anxiety as a Secondary Emotion
Anxiety is what’s known as a secondary emotion. We aren’t born with anxiety; instead, we are born with primary core emotions such as sadness, anger, joy, fear, and disgust. These emotions are natural and serve essential purposes in our lives. For instance, sadness helps us connect and empathize with others, while anger alerts us to injustices and motivates us to take action.
The Impact of Suppressing Emotions
Unfortunately, many of us are taught from a young age to suppress these primary emotions. We’re told to smile through sadness, that anger is bad, and that fear is a sign of weakness. This suppression can be harmful, leading to a buildup of unexpressed emotions that eventually manifest as anxiety.
The Role of Anger and Sadness
Take anger, for example. While it is often viewed negatively, anger is a natural response to perceived injustices. It drives us to seek fairness and can be a powerful force for change when expressed healthily. Similarly, sadness is a natural response to loss and disappointment. It allows us to grieve and process our experiences, fostering deeper connections with ourselves and others.
Invalidation and Its Consequences
When our emotions are invalidated—by others or ourselves—we start to feel shame and guilt. We learn to distrust our feelings, leading to an internal conflict that fuels anxiety. This is where somatic healing becomes vital.
The Power of Somatic Healing
Somatic healing focuses on the connection between the mind and body. Our bodies and nervous systems hold the messages and answers we need to understand and process our emotions. By engaging in somatic practices such as breathwork, we can bridge the gap between our body and mind. These practices work on healing the nervous system and making it more flexible, allowing us to respond to stress and emotions in healthier ways.
Practical Steps for Somatic Healing
Engaging in breathwork and other somatic practices helps to reconnect with our bodies and process our emotions. These techniques can calm the nervous system, promote emotional healing, and increase our resilience to stress.
Understanding and embracing our primary emotions is crucial for reducing anxiety. By validating our experiences and engaging in somatic practices, we can reconnect with our bodies and heal from within. Remember, there are no negative emotions—only natural responses that deserve to be acknowledged and processed.
If you are open to diving deeper into somatic healing and somatic work to bring real empowerment to your life, relationships, leadership, and vitality, please get in touch with me. Together, we can foster a more compassionate and understanding approach to our emotional well-being.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. If you find this helpful, please share it with others who might benefit from it.
