Self-care Challenge- Day 17: Catharsis

The word “catharsis” comes from the Greek word “katharsis,” which translates into “cleansing” or “purification.” When I think of something cathartic, I think of an action that helps me release an intense emotion which is then followed by relief. It definitely feels like I am clearing my body of negativity or pain.

Many of us bottle up emotions and hide them away. Our society teaches us that extreme shows of emotion are weak. However, if we don’t express ourselves, these emotions continue to build and your body will release them at the worst possible moment.

Think of a soda bottle. If you shake it, the carbonation builds and pressure increases inside the bottle. What happens when you hide the can in the freezer? The liquid expands and an explosion occurs, ruining your frozen pizza.

This is exactly what happens in our body.

With a soda bottle, we could tap on the sides to release some of the carbonation and let it try to come back to a normal state where we can open the bottle without fear. Sometimes, however, we’re past that point. And if we want to save our freezer, we need to open the bottle in a safe place so nothing gets ruined.

You’re likely not in a spot where you need to find a safe space to release emotion. But, finding something cathartic can still be extremely helpful even if we don’t feel like we’re going to explode. It’s like making space for emotions that may come up later (or clearing the freezer to make room for some soda).

My favorite way to feel the cathartic release of emotion is to have a good cry. That might sound like an oxymoron but if you’ve ever watched a movie that made you cry and felt like a weight was lifted after the movie, this is exactly what I mean.

This can happen with a good book, music we love, or even finding a memory that brings tears to our eyes.

Scientifically, crying releases oxytocin and endorphins which are associated with feel-good emotions. The reason why is when we cry, it tells our brain we’re in pain so to ensure that we can go on, it triggers the release of those hormones.

We can also experience a cathartic release after boxing or a good workout. Any intense physical activity can trigger the release of endorphins which can give you feelings of euphoria.

Today, find an activity that brings you a cathartic release. Maybe it’s something you can work into your life on a regular basis.

If you’re interested in more info about the self-care challenge, check it out here.

Thank you!

^{((Cover Photo by Gaspar Uhas on Unsplash))}