Neuroscience shows us that the body remembers what the mind forgets—especially when it comes to emotional pain.
Could your body be holding onto emotions you’re ready to release?
Your Body Remembers: Where Emotions Live in the Body (and How to Let Them Go)
Have you ever felt a lump in your throat when you were about to cry? Or a tight chest when you were anxious or heartbroken? That’s not just in your head—your body holds on to emotions.
Every emotion we feel leaves an imprint. When we don’t fully process these feelings, they can get stored in different parts of the body. Over time, these unprocessed emotions can show up as tension, fatigue, pain, or even illness.
By learning where certain emotions are commonly stored in the body, we can begin to understand ourselves better and start the journey to release what no longer serves us.
Here’s a simple guide to how emotions show up in the body—and how to start letting them go:
Grief – Stored in the Lungs
Grief is often felt as heaviness in the chest. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the lungs are believed to hold sadness and sorrow. After a loss, you might notice shallow breathing, tightness, or even a lingering cough. This is the body’s way of holding onto unprocessed grief.
How to Release: Gentle breathwork, fresh air, and allowing yourself to cry can help move grief out of the lungs.
Anger – Stored in the Liver
If you’ve ever felt like you’re “boiling over” with anger, that’s your liver talking. In holistic health, the liver is the organ most affected by long-term anger or frustration. When this emotion gets stuck, it can cause tension in your neck, shoulders, or upper back.
How to Release: Movement (like walking, yoga, or dancing), writing down your feelings, or talking them out can help move this energy out of your body
Fear – Stored in the Kidneys
Fear doesn’t just live in the mind—it also lives in the kidneys and lower back. This can make you feel drained, anxious, or like you’re always “on edge.” Long-term fear can even wear down your adrenal glands, which help your body handle stress.
How to Release: Calming routines, quiet time, warm baths, and grounding exercises like walking barefoot on the earth can help your body feel safe again
Sadness – Stored in the Heart
When we say someone has a “broken heart,” it’s not just a saying. Sadness often settles in the heart space and can make you feel heavy or closed off. You may find it hard to connect with others or experience joy after emotional pain.
How to Release: Kind self-talk, connecting with people you trust, or doing something that lights up your heart—like art, music, or nature—can help open this space again.
Shame – Stored in the Stomach (Solar Plexus)
Shame and guilt often show up in the stomach area, right above the belly button. This is your center of self-worth. When shame builds up, you might feel a “knot” in your stomach, digestive issues, or a lack of confidence.
How to Release: Practice speaking kindly to yourself, use daily affirmations, or explore what triggers your shame so you can start to let it go.
Trauma – Stored in the Whole Body
Big or small, trauma gets stored in the body. Sometimes it hides in our muscles, joints, or connective tissue (called fascia). That’s why a smell, sound, or place can trigger an emotional response out of nowhere. The body remembers even when the mind doesn’t.
How to Release: Gentle bodywork (like reiki, massage, or craniosacral therapy), somatic healing, or trauma-informed counseling can help you safely release stored trauma over time.
But where do we start?
Start by Listening
You don’t have to “figure it all out” at once. Healing starts by listening to your body with kindness. When you notice pain or tension, ask yourself: “Is there an emotion I haven’t dealt with here?”
Your body isn’t working against you—it’s talking to you. And when you learn to listen, that’s where the healing begins.
Wishing you love on the journey back to yourself.