Emotions and Physiology

[shunyata]

It seems emotions sometimes "stay in the body" and emotions can linger despite having intellectually solved whatever is causing the emotion. For example I've been angry even though in my mind, I have intellectually concluded that I don't need to be angry (like I had an argument with someone and we solved the issue). Or sometimes you get scared watching a horror movie even though logically you know that nothing in the movie can actually hurt you. Being aware of your own feelings obviously helps, but it doesn't always completely dissipate these feelings.

Even though I know on an intellectual level that feeling resentment towards my parents or my ex does not help me, I sometimes feel resentment. Because I came to a logical resolution the issue in my head, I figure I am completely over my past issues, only to have occasional days where I feel resentment.

Any thoughts?
What are ways to get rid of lingering negative emotions?

Yes they are linked, on many different levels.
Even the intestinal microbiome has been demonstrated to have an effect on stress levels and anxiety.

There are conscious ways you can regulate your emotional responses and allow your brain to function on a more logical basis.

We generally refer to these systems as meditation.

A few really powerful things you can do.

1) Breathe. Focus on your breathing. Put the mental focus point of your minds eye on your lower body instead of focusing on the inside of your head. Let go of the the thoughts, the words, and just inhale / exhale. If it helps use the words inhale and exhale in your head. Later on, drop the words.

2) Train. Controlling your mind isn't a whole lot different from controlling an opponent in jiu jitsu. Without practice, we're going to suck at it. Difference is that here the opponent is our own Ego.


And on the microbiome level it wouldn't hurt to eat a low sugar high fiber high vegetable diet. With or without meat but the low sugar and high in fresh vegetables is the important part.