Feeling Emotions in the Body: Why It Matters and How Therapy Can Help
Have you ever had a "gut feeling" or noticed your chest tighten when you're anxious? That's your body talking—and it's one of the most powerful ways emotions show up in our lives.
As a therapist, I often work with clients who feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure why they’re reacting so strongly to certain situations. One of the most grounding and healing steps we take in therapy is learning to feel emotions in the body—not just think about them.
Why Emotions Live in the Body
Emotions aren’t just thoughts or moods—they’re physical experiences. When you're sad, you might feel heavy or tired. Anger can bring heat or tension. Joy? Lightness or a flutter in the chest. These bodily sensations are your nervous system's way of communicating what’s going on beneath the surface.
Modern neuroscience and somatic therapy (body-based therapy) have shown that the body stores emotional experiences, especially those that were too intense or overwhelming to process at the time. This is why people often feel stuck, even when they know what's bothering them.
Common Ways Emotions Show Up in the Body
Anxiety – racing heart, shallow breathing, stomach discomfort
Grief – heaviness in the chest, fatigue, muscle aches
Anger – jaw clenching, heat in the face, tight fists
Fear – tension in the shoulders, shakiness, cold hands
Joy – warmth, openness in the chest, energy in the limbs
Noticing these sensations helps us name, understand, and eventually release stuck emotions.
The Benefits of Feeling Emotions in the Body
Learning to tune into your body can:
Improve emotional regulation and reduce overwhelm
Help release long-held stress and trauma
Strengthen your mind-body connection
Build resilience and self-trust
Lead to more authentic, grounded decision-making
Therapy that includes somatic awareness isn’t about re-living pain—it’s about creating a safe space to notice, feel, and gently move through what your body’s been holding.
How We Can Work Together
In therapy, I offer a supportive space to explore what you're feeling—not just mentally, but physically. We'll slow things down, use simple grounding techniques, and help you reconnect with your body at your own pace. This work can be especially helpful if you’ve felt stuck in talk therapy or if traditional methods haven’t quite reached the root of what you're experiencing.
You don’t need to have all the answers—just a willingness to be curious about what your body might be trying to say.
Ready to reconnect with yourself and feel more at ease in your body?
Let’s explore this together. Contact me today to schedule a free consultation.
