How to Release Stuck Emotions From Your Body: 3 Gentle Ways
Many of us are carrying emotions we never had the time, safety, or support to fully feel when they first arrived. When that happens, the body steps in and holds them for us. What we couldn’t grieve, express, or release in the moment often settles quietly into our muscles, our breath, our posture, and our nervous system.
You might notice it as tight shoulders that never quite relax, a heavy feeling in your chest that lingers without an apparent reason, or a deep fatigue that doesn’t make sense on the surface. These aren’t random sensations. They are often the body’s way of remembering what our hearts had to tuck away in order to survive.
Your body is not betraying you when it does this, it is protecting you. And just as it learned how to hold what was overwhelming, it can also learn how to release it safely and gently, in its own time.
Below are three gentle yet powerful ways to help your body begin releasing stuck emotions.
Conscious Breathwork
Your breath is one of the most powerful tools for emotional release. When we experience stress, fear, or sadness, our breathing becomes shallow, reinforcing the tension in our bodies. Conscious breathing—deep, intentional breaths—can signal to your nervous system that it’s safe to relax and let go.
Conscious breathwork is using intentional, controlled breathing to regulate emotions, release tension, and restore balance to the body and mind. Unlike the shallow, unconscious breathing we often default to, this practice brings awareness to each inhale and exhale, helping to calm the nervous system and promote healing. Breathwork has been shown to increase oxygen flow, reduce stress, and help the movement of stuck emotions stored in the body.
Try this simple Conscious breathwork exercise:
Find a quiet space where you won’t be disturbed and sit comfortably.
Close your eyes and bring awareness to your breathing. Place one hand over your heart and the other on your belly.
Inhale deeply through your nose for a count of four, allowing your belly to rise.
Pause briefly, then exhale slowly through your mouth for a count of six.
Repeat this for a few minutes, focusing on the sensation of your breath and any emotions that arise.
Breathwork not only supplies your body with oxygen, but it also helps release trapped emotions by gently loosening the tension they create, allowing them to move and dissipate naturally. When practiced regularly, breathwork can help clear emotional blockages and bring a deep calm and clarity.
Gentle Movement and Somatic Awareness
Emotions get stuck when we suppress or ignore them. They settle into the body’s muscles, joints, and connective tissue. Gentle movements such as stretching, yoga, or even intuitive dance—can help unlock these stored emotions and allow them to flow out. One effective way to do this is by practicing somatic shaking, which involves standing with your feet hip-width apart and gently bouncing or shaking your body. Let your arms, shoulders, and legs loosen as you shake out any stored tension. You might even find yourself sighing or releasing a deep breath, which is your body’s way of letting go. Movement creates space for emotions to surface, be acknowledged, and ultimately be released. The key is to move without judgment and allow your body to guide you.
Tap into Releasing Stuck Emotions with EFT (Tapping)
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), commonly referred to as Tapping, is a gentle and effective method for releasing stuck emotions. This technique involves tapping specific meridian points on the body while acknowledging and processing emotions.
A simple EFT tapping sequence for releasing stuck emotions:
- Identify the emotion you’re holding onto (e.g., sadness, fear, anger).
- Rate its intensity on a scale from 1 to 10. 3.
- Tap on these key points (using two fingers):
- The side of your hand (karate chop point)
- Top of the head
- Eyebrow
- Side of the eye
- Under the eye
- Under the nose
- Chin
- Collarbone
- Under the arm
- As you tap, speak affirmations like: “Even though I feel this emotion, I deeply and completely accept myself.”
- Continue tapping until you feel a shift in your body.
Tapping works by calming the nervous system and rewiring emotional responses, making it a deeply healing practice for releasing stored energy.
Be Kind to Yourself
Releasing stuck emotions is a process, not a one-time event. Some of these emotions have been with you for years, maybe even decades. Allow yourself grace and patience as you move through them. There’s no need to force anything—create space for healing to happen naturally. The more you practice these gentle techniques, the more you will develop a deep trust in your body’s ability to heal. Remember, your emotions are messengers guiding you toward greater self-awareness and peace. Which of these techniques speaks to you the most? Try one today and see how your body responds.
Your healing journey is unfolding beautifully, one gentle step at a time.
💛 Be Blessed,
Taylor
This reflection was also shared with my newsletter community, Heart of Healing.
