How Can I Release Repressed Emotions? A Guide to Healing and Emotional Freedom

How Can I Release Repressed Emotions? Unlocking the Path to Healing

Understanding Repressed Emotions

Well, let’s start by talking about what repressed emotions actually are. Repressed emotions are feelings that we push down, often unconsciously, because they’re too painful or overwhelming to deal with at the time. I know, it sounds pretty intense, but if you've ever tried to ignore sadness, anger, or fear, then you’ve probably repressed those emotions without even realizing it.

Honestly, I went through this myself a few years ago. There was this time when I felt like everything was fine on the surface, but deep down, I had this undercurrent of frustration I couldn’t explain. It wasn't until I started understanding what repression really means that I could connect the dots and realize what was going on.

So, how can you deal with these repressed emotions and actually release them? Let’s dive in.

Why Do We Repress Emotions?

The Mind's Defense Mechanism

You see, the thing is, repressing emotions is a defense mechanism. It’s your mind trying to protect you from pain. You’ve probably experienced a traumatic event or difficult situation, and your subconscious decided that it would be "safer" for you to suppress the emotional impact of that event. But here’s the kicker—those emotions don’t just disappear. They stay with you, festering in your mind and body until you’re ready to face them.

One of my friends, Sarah, had a similar experience with repressed anger. She grew up in a very strict household where expressing anger wasn’t allowed. She just bottled everything up, thinking it was "easier" to ignore it. But years later, when we had a heart-to-heart about it, she realized how much that anger was impacting her life in ways she never understood.

The Long-Term Effects of Repression

Repressed emotions can lead to stress, anxiety, and even physical symptoms like headaches or back pain. I didn’t realize how much repressed grief was affecting me until I started noticing random bursts of anger or crying over little things. It was like the emotions were just waiting for an opportunity to spill out.

It’s frustrating because, sometimes, it feels like you're not in control of your own feelings. The key here is to identify those repressed emotions and start taking steps to release them, or else, they’ll keep building up and causing chaos in your life.

Steps to Release Repressed Emotions

1. Acknowledge and Identify the Emotions

The first step to releasing repressed emotions is to acknowledge that they exist. I know, it’s not easy. It’s hard to admit to yourself that you’ve been hiding feelings, especially if they’re negative or painful. But trust me, acknowledging them is the only way to start the process of healing.

I had this moment a while back when I was sitting alone after a tough day, and I just asked myself: "What am I really feeling right now?" Honestly, it wasn’t an easy question to answer. I realized there was this undercurrent of sadness and disappointment that I hadn’t been addressing. Once I identified it, it was like the first step in letting it go.

2. Express Yourself in Safe Ways

Once you’ve acknowledged those emotions, the next step is expression. I can’t stress this enough: expression is key! Keeping everything bottled up just makes it worse. But the trick is to express yourself in healthy ways. This could mean talking to a friend, journaling, or even creating something (art, music, whatever feels right for you).

I remember a particularly tough period in my life where I couldn’t talk about my emotions right away. Instead, I wrote everything down in a journal—every single frustration, fear, and tear. That act alone was so freeing. It didn’t solve everything, but it allowed me to stop holding it all in.

3. Practice Mindfulness and Self-Compassion

Mindfulness is another powerful tool in releasing repressed emotions. It allows you to sit with your feelings without judgment, which is something many of us struggle with. I mean, come on—who wants to feel anger or sadness, right? But with mindfulness, you learn to just observe those feelings without being overwhelmed by them.

Self-compassion is closely tied to mindfulness. Being kind to yourself during this process is essential. Trust me, I’ve been there. I’ve been my own worst critic during tough times, and it only delayed my healing. The reality is, releasing repressed emotions isn’t about getting rid of them; it’s about accepting them as part of your human experience.

Healing Techniques to Try

1. Therapy or Counseling

If you find it hard to deal with repressed emotions on your own, therapy can be a game-changer. Working with a counselor or therapist gives you a safe space to explore your feelings without fear of judgment. I’ve known a few people who’ve gone through therapy to process long-held emotions, and it really opened up a new world of healing for them.

2. Physical Activity

Sometimes, when emotions feel too heavy to deal with mentally, you have to release them physically. Exercise, especially intense physical activity, can help release emotional tension. I’ve noticed that when I go for a long run or do a high-intensity workout, I often feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. It's like the movement allows me to release built-up energy from my emotions.

3. Creative Outlets

I’ve mentioned this briefly, but let me emphasize it: creating something can be incredibly therapeutic. Writing, painting, dancing, or any other form of creative expression helps to channel emotions into something positive. You’re not just sitting with your emotions; you’re turning them into something meaningful.

Final Thoughts: Take Your Time, But Start Now

Honestly, there’s no rush in releasing repressed emotions. It’s a journey, and like any healing process, it takes time. But the most important thing is that you start. Don’t wait until everything piles up and overwhelms you. Acknowledge what’s there, express it in safe ways, and be compassionate with yourself as you work through it.

You deserve to feel free from those repressed emotions. You’re not alone in this, and you’re stronger than you think.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.