Emotional Avoidance
Throughout our lives, we may experience emotions that are disturbing or distressing. Often, our first reaction is to push those emotions away. We may say, "I don't want to think about that right now, I'll think about it later" thus denying the validity and messages those emotions are attempting to convey to us. We tend to distract ourselves with other concerns or fly about in a constant flurry of busyness. We forget that all emotional experiences are neither good nor bad — they are simply energy responses that are part of being human.
Allow
Science has found that denying or hiding strong emotions like anger, sadness, resentment, contempt, disappointment etc. gets buried deep into the physical body. Hidden within our cells are unresolved emotions that affect our physiology, the way we think about things, and the way we behave in the world. Allowing ourselves to experience all discomforting emotions — an important component in our spiritual evolution — we opt to embrace and experience only pleasant emotions. Though often unconsciously, we avoid coming to terms with past emotional wounds because we have become addicted to the happiness syndrome.
Experience
Find a safe place and pick a time when you can be alone. Make sure that you feel safe and comfortable in your surroundings. Recall the circumstance that recently triggered the emotion you've been pushing away. Once you have identified the situation, circumstance, or unexpected event that triggered the long-denied emotion, let yourself feel it, without judging your reactions. Trust that feeling and experiencing that long hidden emotion won’t kill you, and in fact will make your life healthier and stronger. Cry or scream out that emotion if you need to, and don't block the flow of your physical sensations. Allow any thoughts that arise and any other emotions that have been kept secretive to come to the surface.
Release
As you allow the existence of the emotional energy that you’ve pushed inside, you will finally begin to see the beneficial purpose for those emotions coming out of the dark. Keep in mind not to act on any of the emotions that may arise. Consider carefully how to use the imprisoned emotion wisely so that there is a benefit from finally allowing its presence. When you deal with your denied emotions, they can finally move through you rather than remain as emotional energy blocks that trigger physical, relational, and financial problems.
“Giving locked up emotions a safe and healthy way to be accepted, expressed, and resolved is one of the most profound medicines we humans have available. ”