Our bodies are connected to our minds. Whatever our mind cannot handle or can handle is expressed by our body. Even, physical pain is linked to emotions. Many studies suggest that there are physical aches caused by emotions. The brain processes emotional and physical pain in the same manner. Hence, any stress or emotions can impact your body. All emotions are normal and healthy until they affect your ability to do things. This article tells how our physical aches are caused by emotions and what is it called when emotional pain causes physical pain.

  Physical aches caused by emotions are called emotional stress. Stress is usually a normal way of responding to the daily pressures of life. We also have many emotions. Such as anger, worry, fear, and sadness. These are normal emotional responses which every human being has. They are natural and part of life. But, there are times when the stress becomes too much. This is too much because of the emotions that are there underlying the stress. This also affects our ability to do things and starts giving us many physical aches and pains. This also makes the stress not good for us. Having too much emotional stress can have a lot of impact on our body, mind and actions.A lot of emotional stress can lead to the following physical aches:

• Chest being heavy
• Increase in heart rate
• Chest pain
• Shoulder pain
• Neck pain
• Back pain
• Full body ache
• Headache
• Changes in breathing. (Heaviness or shortness of breath)
• Feeling dizzy
• Changes in your eating styles. (Eating too much or too little or not at all)
• Gaining a lot of weight
• Losing a lot of weight
• Loss of energy and tiredness
• Feeling anxious or sad.
• Changes in sleeping pattern. (Sleeping a lot or no sleep at all)
• Stomach upsets
• Feeling constipated
• Having diarrhea
• Difficulty in sexual activities

What is it called when emotional pain causes physical pain? Physical aches caused by emotions also impacts our mind and the way we behave. These symptoms include:

• Showing a lot of emotions.
• An overwhelming feeling.
• Forgetting things
• Not being able to keep track of everyday activities.
• Difficulty in concentrating
• Not being able to make decisions
• Difficulty in solving problems.
• Drinking alcohol or taking drugs to feel better.

The question is-What is it called when emotional pain causes physical pain? It is called emotional stress. And, to feel better and reduce emotional stress there are many coping strategies. Also, for many one strategies might work or all might. Hence, depending on your need and interest you can practice. Some of the ways to feel better are: Physical aches caused by emotions are many. And, we need to relax! Many times we are so busy with other things or with the impact of the pain that we forget to take care of ourselves. But, it is important to keep some time to take care of yourself. Daily 15 minutes for relaxing is needed. Some ideas to relax are:

• Reading a book that you like.
• Walking in a park.
• Doing yoga or stretching.
• Listening to calming music or music that you like.
• Singing.
• Having a bath with body massage.
• Sitting in silence for some time.

Many times we feel stressed because we focus only on what makes us feel stressed. Hence, we feel stressed. This also leads to feeling frustrated. The best way sometimes is to distract our minds. We can also focus on something that you enjoy or like. For example, playing a game, gardening, painting or doing any of your hobbies helps. Doing this regularly helps to reduce stress and feel calm and relaxed. Sometimes writing down our thoughts helps us. It also helps us to gain more clarity about our thoughts and feelings. You can keep a book or diary and write down what and how you feel and think. This also helps to slow down and pay attention to what is going on in your life. This also acts as a medium to release stress. Journaling helps to know what our emotional triggers are. This also helps to identify negative thoughts and feelings. Later, you can also try to replace these thoughts and negatives which are not healthy. Journaling is a positive way to deal with emotions. When we spend more time with our feelings and thoughts then true change and healing begin.
Practising meditation also helps to reduce physical pain caused by emotions. It acts as a way to work on thoughts. By meditating you feel more relaxed and safe which helps to reduce emotional stress and also reduces physical pain. You can meditate daily for at least 15 minutes and then increase the duration depending on how you feel.
Many symptoms of physical aches caused by emotions is stressful. You need to look out for these symptoms and try to practice the strategies on a daily basis to feel better. But sometimes even if you are doing all the strategies you might feel that you need more help. So, you can seek help from a mental health expert. It is okay to seek help. But, it is not okay to stay with physical aches caused by emotions.

Physical aches caused by emotions are difficult to manage. Hence, learning more about it helps to know how to manage it better. You can enrol for a course on our epsych website to know more about how to deal with it.