Burn It Off - Or Bottle It Up

Mind-Body Recovery
Written By Drew Coverdale

Sometimes, the way we respond to pain says more than the pain itself.
Whether we push through it, bury it, or try to ignore it, our nervous system is always paying attention.
The good news? Patterns can be recognised — and once recognised, they can be unlearned.

What do you do when uncomfortable emotions rise up?

Do you sit with them… or smother them under a layer of activity?

Some people sprint, cycle, clean the house, bury themselves in work. Others bottle it up — locking it away until the body finds its own way to release the pressure.

Neither approach is “wrong” in the short term. Sometimes we do need to get on with the day or take our mind off things. But when the nervous system is constantly being asked to override, suppress, or avoid… it learns to live in that mode.

And here’s the catch:
When adrenaline and protective reflexes become the body’s default setting, they don’t just switch off when you want them to. They become part of your baseline.

That’s when stress, tension, and even pain can feel like they’re always simmering in the background. Not because your body is broken — but because it’s following the rules it’s been taught: “Keep going. Keep busy. Don’t stop.”

So here’s the challenge:
Next time you notice the urge to “burn it off” or “bottle it up,” pause for just a moment. Ask: What would happen if I felt this instead of fighting it?

You might find that giving your feelings a little breathing room gives your body the same gift.

Reflection for you:
What’s your default — burn it off, bottle it up… or something else entirely?

Every pattern tells a story — sometimes one you’ve been carrying for years without realising.
Take a moment today to notice: are you burning it off, bottling it up, or finding a different way?

You don’t have to figure this out alone. Here are some helpful next steps…

Drew Coverdale
Next

Anniversary Pain