As you prepare to embark on a fast or a whole-food cleanse to cleanse yourself of the indulgences of the previous year, take a moment to reflect on other burdens you may be carrying. Think about the invisible emotional or spiritual residues of persistent stress and unresolved trauma. These factors can significantly influence not only your mental health but also your physical well-being.
A powerful way to reboot is to create space for your feelings and allow them to flow through you. Consider this a detoxification process for both your body and your spirit.
Embracing Your Emotions
Emotions are generally categorized as positive or negative, but all feelings serve a purpose, given the right context. Issues arise when emotions are suppressed and not freely expressed.
In particular, Anna Runkle, recognized as the Crappy Childhood Fairy and author of Connectability: Heal the Hidden Ways You Isolate, Find Your People, And Feel (At Last) Like You Belong(Hay House, 2025), notes that “fear and resentment can be toxic and pose serious health risks.”
When the nervous system remains trapped in a mode of “fight-or-flight,” it can result in chronic stress, which heightens the risk for mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, and various physical health dilemmas including heart issues and digestive discomfort.
Stress-related medical conditions also encompass irritable bowel syndrome and fibromyalgia. Moreover, adverse experiences during childhood can lead to a heightened risk of serious health issues in adulthood, including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and suicide.
“Stuck” emotions can manifest in various areas, often presenting in the throat, heart, and digestive system. However, studies indicate that being able to manage your emotions can lead to improved mental and physical health outcomes.
Runkle shares, “Since I began my daily practice, many health issues common to those with challenging childhoods, such as asthma, back pain, knee discomfort, and migraines, diminished.”
Releasing Stagnant Emotions
Our brains tend to focus more on negative experiences than positive ones, a survival mechanism developed by early humans facing danger. This ongoing “negativity bias” can be altered through various methods.
The Benefits of Forgiveness and Gratitude
The Power of Writing
The daily activity Runkle recommends involves penning down your anxieties, resentments, and other feelings, then discarding the paper. “It serves as a means of releasing all this weight,” she explains. “The main objective is to let go of it all.
“Through consistent writing and meditation, I found a way to let go of the troubling thoughts and emotions that occupied my mind,” Runkle says.
Studies indicate that expressive writing can enhance both physical and mental health, specifically benefiting those who have faced trauma. Runkle is confident that the practice she advocates also supports individuals encountering various forms of stress.
“This method has been shared with hospice patients, schoolchildren, inmates, and men’s groups,” she notes. “It’s adaptable and can cater to where you are on your journey.”
Body-Centered Therapies
Therapies focused on the body can enhance your nervous system’s ability to process and hold emotions. The goal isn’t to be happy all the time, but rather to move fluidly between pleasant and uncomfortable feelings.
Methods like Somatic Experiencing and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) can be particularly beneficial in releasing trauma held in the body. Techniques such as meditation, yoga, and breathwork also significantly contribute to stress relief and mental wellness.
Nourishing Diet and Exercise
To maximize the benefits, consider merging emotional healing with supplementary practices. Consuming a nutritious plant-based Mediterranean diet along with regular physical activity can positively impact your mood. Additionally, spending time in natural settings, such as forests or beaches, can enhance emotional health.
Connecting with someone who can offer support as you navigate challenging emotions—whether it’s a partner, friend, or therapist—can alleviate some of the burdens. Above all, the most important aspect of rejuvenating your emotional state is discovering what resonates best with you.
This article was initially published in the January 2026 issue of up7op magazine.
