Why are emotions frowned upon?

What are emotions and why are they so often looked down on? 

Merriam-Webster reads,

Full Definition of EMOTION

1

a obsolete :  disturbance

b :  excitement

2

a :  the affective aspect of consciousness :  feeling

b :  a state of feeling

c :  a conscious mental reaction (as anger or fear) subjectively experienced as strong feeling usually directed toward a specific object and typically accompanied by physiological and behavioral changes in the body

 

Emotions can be tricky. They can be very intense and powerful. Sometimes they are positive and sometimes they are negative. People are often at a loss when it comes to handling their emotions. Some explode with anger. Some isolate in pain. Some people cry with joy. What happens when people stuff their emotions? They get sick with stress induced illnesses and a lowered immune system. Emotion itself is not what is dangerous; rather, it is the way we react to the emotions that can hurt ourselves and others.

I was in a marriage where my emotions were rebuked and I was ridiculed if I displayed emotion that made my husband feel uncomfortable. I began to stuff my emotions and even began to lose touch with them entirely. I was made to feel that my emotions were inappropriate and it was somehow wrong for me to feel they way I felt. I found myself becoming uncomfortable when others displayed emotion as well.

A wise man once said, “We are only as sick as our secrets” and “revealing our feelings is the beginning of healing”. Just because someone else does not like the way you feel does not mean your feelings are wrong. It is wise to control your feelings but that is different than ignoring them or stuffing them. You can keep it real, feel what you feel, and share it with others in a calm, loving manner.

There are a lot of factors that come in to why we feel the way we feel in any given situation. Ask yourself, “What am I feeling?”, “Where is this coming from?” and “What should I do about it?” Act, don’t react! Let a trusted friend or counselor know what you are experiencing but don’t hold it in or ignore it. Your feelings matter! In the same way that your car has indicator lights on the dash to inform you what is going on emotion is our gauge. Your car will break down eventually if you ignore the warnings as will our bodies. Deal with what is real!

Here’s to your emotional health!