Are Your Emotions Making You Sick?
I see it all the time—people searching for the next supplement, the best diet, or the most cutting-edge treatment to fix their health. While these things can play a role, I believe we're missing one of the biggest factors in healing: our emotions.
Many people struggling with cancer, autoimmune disease, and chronic illness are doing everything “right” externally—eating clean, taking medication, exercising—but their bodies remain in a state of distress. Why? Because healing isn’t just about what we put in our bodies. It’s also about what we hold onto emotionally.
The Science of Emotions and Illness
Science is catching up to what ancient wisdom has always known: our emotions profoundly impact our physical health. Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) studies show that chronic stress and suppressed emotions weaken the immune system, increase inflammation, and disrupt the body's natural healing ability.
Stress and inflammation: When we experience unresolved trauma, grief, anger, or fear, our bodies stay in a state of fight-or-flight. This constant activation of the stress response releases cortisol and inflammatory cytokines, which have been linked to everything from autoimmune diseases to cancer progression.
Childhood trauma and disease: Research, including the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) study, has shown a direct correlation between emotional trauma and chronic illness later in life.
Radical Remission: Dr. Kelly A. Turner, in her book Radical Remission, studied people who defied terminal diagnoses. One of the key factors she found in these spontaneous healings was addressing deep-seated emotions and actively working on releasing stored trauma.
If science and real-life case studies show that emotions can make us sick, then the opposite must also be true—healing our emotions can help us thrive.
Healing Requires More Than Just Food
As a nutritionist, I know firsthand the critical role food plays in the healing journey, particularly anti-inflammatory foods. An inflamed body cannot heal, and I’ve seen time and time again how removing inflammatory foods and focusing on nutrient-dense, healing meals can transform energy levels, digestion, and overall well-being.
But here’s the thing: food alone isn’t enough.
When I work with my clients, we don’t just talk about what’s on their plate—we go much deeper. Healing happens when we address the whole person, not just what enters the mouth. That means looking at your relationships, stress levels, subconscious beliefs, and how much joy you allow yourself to feel.
This is exactly why my Vitality by Design™ program is so effective. We don’t just stop at nutrition—we go deep into all aspects of life, helping you identify and release emotional blocks, shift your mindset, and create a life that supports your healing.
This isn’t a blog about getting you to sign up to my 3-month program (although I’d love to take you on this journey); it’s about true inner healing.
Are You Asking Yourself the Right Questions?
Instead of only looking externally for a cure, we must turn inward. I’m not saying we should reject medicine or lifestyle changes—far from it. But we also need to explore our inner world and ask the tough questions:
What emotions am I holding onto? Unresolved grief, anger, resentment, and fear don’t just disappear—they manifest in the body.
Am I stuck in a chronic stress cycle? If you wake up feeling anxious or wired, your nervous system may be locked in a state of hypervigilance.
Do I feel safe in my own body? Many people with chronic illness have never truly felt safe, whether from childhood trauma, past experiences, or subconscious beliefs.
Am I willing to forgive? This isn’t about excusing past hurts—it’s about releasing yourself from the burden of carrying them.
What do I truly want for my life? So many of us live in survival mode, but true healing comes when we start choosing joy, purpose, and authenticity.
You can access my free workbook, “Write Your Own Prescription,” where I challenge you to answer many questions about your emotional well-being. I asked these questions myself when I was looking to delve deeper into my internal state of mind.
Emotions Are Energy—They Need to Move
Suppressing emotions doesn’t make them go away—it just buries them deeper. Buried emotions can lead to physical stagnation, manifesting as inflammation, pain, and disease. The key is allowing emotions to move through us.
Ways to start emotional healing:
Journaling – Write uncensored thoughts and feelings to clear your subconscious.
Breathwork – Deep breathing techniques help release stored trauma from the body.
Therapy or Coaching – Speaking to a professional can help you uncover hidden emotional blocks.
Meditation & Mindfulness – Slowing down allows emotions to surface instead of being suppressed.
Movement & Expression – Dance, yoga, or even screaming into a pillow can help move emotional energy.
Healing Is an Inside Job
Healing is never about one thing. It’s not just diet, mindset, or medicine—it’s a combination of physical, emotional, and spiritual work. If you’ve been doing everything right and still feel unwell, maybe it’s time to shift your focus inward.
What if the missing piece in your healing journey isn’t another pill or protocol but rather releasing the emotions you’ve been carrying for years?
It’s not always easy to go there. But I promise—it’s worth it.