SUPPRESSION VS REPRESSION
— and Why It Matters
In sessions—whether it’s Bowen Therapy, EFT tapping, or energy healing—I often notice the body holding on to tension or emotion long before the mind becomes aware of it. That’s because there’s a difference between suppression and repression, and both can quietly affect your energy, mood, and physical wellbeing.
Suppression is a conscious act. You might feel something—grief, anger, overwhelm—but decide to push it down. Maybe now’s not the right time, or it feels inconvenient to deal with. So instead of moving through it, the body holds onto it. This can show up in many ways, including:
Irritability or mood swings
Neck and shoulder tension
Jaw clenching or headaches
Fatigue or burnout
Restlessness or disrupted sleep
Digestive issues like bloating or unsettled stomach
A constant pull toward distraction or over-busyness
Repression is more unconscious. It’s how the nervous system protects you from what once felt like too much to process. You might not even remember the original experience—but your body does. Repression can show up as:
Guilt or emotional shutdown
Projecting feelings onto others
Avoidance or emotional detachment
Chronic tension or unexplained fatigue
Strong emotional reactions that seem out of proportion
These are just a few of the ways unprocessed experiences can quietly shape how you feel day-to-day.
Both Bowen and EFT support the body in gradually releasing what’s no longer useful to carry. Bowen works through the nervous system to guide the body back toward a more restful, regulated state—where it can recalibrate and restore. EFT brings awareness to what might be stuck emotionally and gives space for it to shift, using gentle tapping and language to guide the release.
If you’ve been feeling stuck, off-center, or simply out of sorts, it may be your body’s way of asking for some attention. You’re welcome to book a session—or if you’d like to talk about what might be supportive for your particular situation, you can book a free consult through my website. I’d be happy to connect and explore what might work best for you.
