Emotional Pain (it’s essentially the same as physical pain)

Have you ever tripped while running up a flight of stairs and bashed your shin? It hurts like hell, right!? Or, have you had to manage a lingering back or knee issue that, while not debilitating, is a constant and nagging source of angst, frustration and discomfort? These are just two very basic examples from a myriad of ways we experience physical pain.

Have you experienced the loss of a loved one? Endured a traumatic event? Or how about shame or sadness? What about ongoing/prolonged anxiety or depression? These are a few examples of how we experience emotional pain and, while they manifest differently than physical pain (no bruising, swelling etc.), the pain we feel from these is equally real and intense.

With physical injuries/pain we are able to take painkillers, apply ice (or heat), topical analgesics or receive physical therapy (e.g. massage, physiotherapy, acupuncture). Similarly, with emotional pain we may find relief through psychological counselling, religion/spiritual practices, or seek the comfort of a friend or family member. All of these methods (and many more not listed above) do help provide relief from physical or emotional pain.

Despite there being multiple sources of relief from pain, we need to accept the reality that we may never be truly free from all discomfort. For example, if we’ve suffered a broken bone or a soft-tissue injury, our physical abilities may never quite be the same – we may be slower, less mobile or we may experience some low-level ongoing aggravation. Similarly, if we’ve lost a loved one or experienced a traumatic event, we will recall and feel this throughout our lives. A key here is for us to find relief from our pain that allows us move forward on a daily basis, mostly unburdened by our past originating sources of injury, through means that don’t cause us any unintended negative consequences (aka collateral damage).

Future posts will examine common ways we may seek solace from our pain. Some of these are beneficial and without negative unintended consequences (e.g. exercise, physical therapies, psychological counselling, a spiritual practice); other methods can also soothe and provide an escape but may come with downstream undesired impacts (e.g. certain prescription medications/painkillers, brain-altering substances (alcohol and drugs), obsessive practices that distract from rather the provide healing (excessive exercise, spending, religion). (Note: all of the above can be beneficial if used in their right context – they become harmful when used as a form of escape rather than healing).

Thanks again for taking the time to read this latest post and I will continue to author more of my own learnings soon.