Very often people hide their emotions from others in order to appear composed, even if they are not. Not showing one’s weakness is considered to be something of a norm. However, this is a very dangerous habit; especially if done often. Below are 10 things that can go wrong with you if you too, suppress your emotions.

#1 – High Blood Pressure

Suppressing requires energy. Therefore, when a person overpowers their emotions, it also affects their body. Many people admit that when forced to control their anger or sorrow, their heart rate increased. This is extremely dangerous for both the body as well as the brain.

#2 – Weight Gain

Many studies and discussions prove that it is common to overeat during emotional stress. If a person has no outlet, stress-eating ends up to be a very tempting but a dangerous way to cope up with all the pent-up feelings. High-calorie, tasty food cravings increase till it doesn’t matter to the person what he or she is eating. Unsurprisingly, this overeating results in weight gain.

#3 – Digestive Problems

Stress affects us in unimaginable ways. Many people experience indigestion and other gastric problems since their food is unable to digest properly due to stress. With increasing stress in people’s lives, acid reflux, diarrhoea, constipations etc., are now very common.

#4 – Grinding of the Teeth

This is one serious issue as it goes unnoticed by the person it is happening to. Grinding teeth is often done unconsciously, especially when a person is frustrated and is trying hard to contain that anger. It is a sign that they’re holding back a lot from the cause of their frustration. Prolonged grinding often results to pain in the jaws and head, another ill effect.

#5 – Wrinkles Appearing in the Face

Most people aren’t aware that wrinkles aren’t caused just by aging. Many people try hard to conceal their true emotions and facial expressions which cause premature age lines. Instead of using loads of anti-wrinkle creams, try venting out and relaxing.

#6. Bad Sleep Habits

This is another great issue caused by suppressing one’s emotions. The accumulated stress is bound to affect you unconsciously if not consciously. Insomnia, troubled sleep, etc. result in bad sleeping habits which eventually harms the overall body.

#7. Temporal Lobe Prevented from Doing Its Job

Temporal Lobe is an important part of the brain primarily responsible for memories and our basic senses, including sight, sound, and touch. Suppression of emotions can easily affect this part if the person doesn’t take needed measures.

#8. Get Less Oxytocin

Increased stress levels may affect the secretion of oxytocin, a hormone released when reactions are expressed naturally. Oxytocin is fundamental in decreasing stress and anxiety. However, due to withheld emotions, its production may decrease causing further strain.

#9. Mental Fatique

The brain is one of the most over-worked organs of our body. If forced to process too much material for a long period, it can get tired too. Holding on to disagreeable thoughts and not letting out the emotions can cause mental fatigue.

#10. Memory Loss

Mental fatigue can further affect the brain by forcing it to lose the memories that it cannot deal with. This resulting memory loss may be selective initially but it may take a worse form if unchecked.