You’ve likely heard the saying, “Don’t bottle it up.” While this is good advice, many people struggle to express their feelings in a healthy way. Keeping your feelings to yourself can have a number of negative consequences for both your mental and physical health.
Negative emotions like anger and anxiety can disrupt the normal function of your stress hormone cortisol and increase your risk for chronic illness and depression. In addition, bottling your feelings can lead to digestive issues such as nausea and pain.
Another sign that you might be bottling your emotions is having random outbursts over things that aren’t particularly threatening. This is usually an attempt to deflect attention from your real issues and to distract others from wondering about what’s bothering you. It can also cause you to overthink and feel anxious for a longer period of time.
Another problem with bottling your emotions is that it can lead to resentment and a lack of empathy for others. It can also make you appear emotionally unintelligent and less likable. This can hurt your personal and professional life, as well as your relationship with loved ones.
