[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":750},["ShallowReactive",2],{"body-areas":3,"footer-emotions":186,"guide:\u002Fguides\u002Femotions-body-map":295,"related-guides:\u002Fguides\u002Fcan-emotions-cause-physical-pain,\u002Fguides\u002Fleft-vs-right-side-of-the-body,\u002Fguides\u002Fpsychosomatic-illness":738},[4,13,20,28,36,44,51,59,66,73,79,86,92,98,105,112,118,125,131,138,145,152,159,166,173,180],{"title":5,"description":6,"path":7,"icon":8,"order":9,"comingSoon":10,"to":11,"conditionCount":12},"Head and nervous system","The emotional and spiritual meaning of head and nerve problems: what they may say about control, mental pressure and the balance between head and heart.","\u002Fareas\u002Fhead","i-lucide-brain",1,false,"\u002Fhead",12,{"title":14,"description":15,"path":16,"icon":17,"order":18,"comingSoon":10,"to":19,"conditionCount":12},"Eyes and ears","The emotional and spiritual meaning of eye and ear problems: what they may reveal about what you accept to see and hear, and about your inner voice.","\u002Fareas\u002Feyes-and-ears","i-lucide-eye",2,"\u002Feyes-and-ears",{"title":21,"description":22,"path":23,"icon":24,"order":25,"comingSoon":10,"to":26,"conditionCount":27},"Respiratory system","The emotional and spiritual meaning of breathing problems: what colds, coughs and lung issues may say about space, freedom and your taste for life.","\u002Fareas\u002Frespiratory-system","i-lucide-wind",3,"\u002Frespiratory-system",16,{"title":29,"description":30,"path":31,"icon":32,"order":33,"comingSoon":10,"to":34,"conditionCount":35},"Heart and circulation","The emotional and spiritual meaning of heart and circulation problems: what they may reveal about love, joy of living and the pressure you carry.","\u002Fareas\u002Fheart-and-circulation","i-lucide-heart-pulse",4,"\u002Fheart-and-circulation",10,{"title":37,"description":38,"path":39,"icon":40,"order":41,"comingSoon":10,"to":42,"conditionCount":43},"Digestive system","The emotional and spiritual meaning of digestive problems: what stomach and bowel issues may say about what you cannot digest, control and letting go.","\u002Fareas\u002Fdigestive-system","i-lucide-utensils",5,"\u002Fdigestive-system",17,{"title":45,"description":46,"path":47,"icon":48,"order":49,"comingSoon":10,"to":50,"conditionCount":49},"Back","The emotional and spiritual meaning of back problems: what back and neck pain may reveal about support, burdens, flexibility and what you hide behind you.","\u002Fareas\u002Fback","i-lucide-person-standing",6,"\u002Fback",{"title":52,"description":53,"path":54,"icon":55,"order":56,"comingSoon":10,"to":57,"conditionCount":58},"Skin","The emotional and spiritual meaning of skin problems: how your skin may reflect boundaries, contact, self-image and the emotions you hold inside.","\u002Fareas\u002Fskin","i-lucide-fingerprint",7,"\u002Fskin",13,{"title":60,"description":61,"path":62,"icon":63,"order":64,"comingSoon":10,"to":65,"conditionCount":64},"Joints and bones","The emotional and spiritual meaning of joint and bone problems: what they may reveal about flexibility, rigid thinking, authority and your inner structure.","\u002Fareas\u002Fjoints-and-bones","i-lucide-bone",8,"\u002Fjoints-and-bones",{"title":67,"description":68,"path":69,"icon":70,"order":71,"comingSoon":10,"to":72,"conditionCount":64},"Reproductive system","The emotional and spiritual meaning of reproductive problems: what they may reveal about creativity, femininity, masculinity and your body.","\u002Fareas\u002Freproductive-system","i-lucide-venus-and-mars",9,"\u002Freproductive-system",{"title":74,"description":75,"path":76,"icon":77,"order":35,"comingSoon":10,"to":78,"conditionCount":33},"Kidneys and urinary system","The emotional and spiritual meaning of kidney and urinary problems: what they may say about fear, old emotions that have not been let go, and the balance between what comes in and what leaves.","\u002Fareas\u002Fkidneys","i-lucide-droplets","\u002Fkidneys",{"title":80,"description":81,"path":82,"icon":83,"order":84,"comingSoon":10,"to":85,"conditionCount":18},"Blood sugar","The emotional and spiritual meaning of blood sugar problems: what diabetes and low blood sugar may say about sweetness, sadness, and love you find hard to receive or to give.","\u002Fareas\u002Fblood-sugar","i-lucide-candy",11,"\u002Fblood-sugar",{"title":87,"description":88,"path":89,"icon":90,"order":12,"comingSoon":10,"to":91,"conditionCount":35},"Mouth and teeth","The emotional and spiritual meaning of the mouth and the teeth: what they may say about taking life in, speaking, and biting into a decision.","\u002Fareas\u002Fmouth-and-teeth","i-lucide-smile","\u002Fmouth-and-teeth",{"title":93,"description":94,"path":95,"icon":96,"order":58,"comingSoon":10,"to":97,"conditionCount":18},"Liver and gallbladder","The emotional and spiritual meaning of the liver and the gallbladder: what they may say about anger, criticism, bitterness, and the faith you have in your own possibilities.","\u002Fareas\u002Fliver-and-gallbladder","i-lucide-filter","\u002Fliver-and-gallbladder",{"title":99,"description":100,"path":101,"icon":102,"order":103,"comingSoon":10,"to":104,"conditionCount":18},"Pancreas","The emotional and spiritual meaning of the pancreas: what it may say about digesting feelings, freedom, and the sugar of joy.","\u002Fareas\u002Fpancreas","i-lucide-sun",14,"\u002Fpancreas",{"title":106,"description":107,"path":108,"icon":109,"order":110,"comingSoon":10,"to":111,"conditionCount":18},"Spleen","The emotional and spiritual meaning of the spleen: what it may say about unfinished things, nostalgia, regret, and the fear of having missed your life.","\u002Fareas\u002Fspleen","i-lucide-shield",15,"\u002Fspleen",{"title":113,"description":114,"path":115,"icon":116,"order":27,"comingSoon":10,"to":117,"conditionCount":33},"Muscles and tendons","The emotional and spiritual meaning of muscles and tendons: what they may say about the strength to act, and the conflict between what you think you should do and what you actually want.","\u002Fareas\u002Fmuscles-and-tendons","i-lucide-dumbbell","\u002Fmuscles-and-tendons",{"title":119,"description":120,"path":121,"icon":122,"order":123,"comingSoon":10,"to":124,"conditionCount":18},"Shoulders","The emotional and spiritual meaning of the shoulders: what they may say about the loads you carry, the urge to act, autonomy and the masks you wear.","\u002Fareas\u002Fshoulders","i-lucide-backpack",16.5,"\u002Fshoulders",{"title":126,"description":127,"path":128,"icon":129,"order":43,"comingSoon":10,"to":130,"conditionCount":41},"Arms and hands","The emotional and spiritual meaning of the arms and the hands: what they may say about embracing life, carrying a load, and the work of giving and receiving.","\u002Fareas\u002Farms-and-hands","i-lucide-hand","\u002Farms-and-hands",{"title":132,"description":133,"path":134,"icon":135,"order":136,"comingSoon":10,"to":137,"conditionCount":9},"Hips","The emotional and spiritual meaning of the hips: what they may say about balance, moving forward, and living from yourself rather than for others.","\u002Fareas\u002Fhips","i-lucide-move",17.5,"\u002Fhips",{"title":139,"description":140,"path":141,"icon":142,"order":143,"comingSoon":10,"to":144,"conditionCount":35},"Legs and feet","The emotional and spiritual meaning of the legs and the feet: what they may say about moving forward, standing your ground, and the contact you keep with the earth.","\u002Fareas\u002Flegs-and-feet","i-lucide-footprints",18,"\u002Flegs-and-feet",{"title":146,"description":147,"path":148,"icon":149,"order":150,"comingSoon":10,"to":151,"conditionCount":25},"Hair and nails","The emotional and spiritual meaning of hair and nails: what they may say about vitality, protection, and the strength you use to face change.","\u002Fareas\u002Fhair-and-nails","i-lucide-scissors",19,"\u002Fhair-and-nails",{"title":153,"description":154,"path":155,"icon":156,"order":157,"comingSoon":10,"to":158,"conditionCount":18},"Breasts","The emotional and spiritual meaning of the breasts: what they may say about giving and receiving, mothering, and the balance between the feeling side and the practical side of a life.","\u002Fareas\u002Fbreasts","i-lucide-flower-2",20,"\u002Fbreasts",{"title":160,"description":161,"path":162,"icon":163,"order":164,"comingSoon":10,"to":165,"conditionCount":18},"Thyroid","The emotional and spiritual meaning of the thyroid: what it may say about speech, creativity, and the moment when you feel you have to stay silent.","\u002Fareas\u002Fthyroid","i-lucide-mic",21,"\u002Fthyroid",{"title":167,"description":168,"path":169,"icon":170,"order":171,"comingSoon":10,"to":172,"conditionCount":18},"Glands","The emotional and spiritual meaning of the pituitary, the pineal and the adrenal glands: what they may say about balance, inner vision, and the body's answer to danger.","\u002Fareas\u002Fglands","i-lucide-orbit",22,"\u002Fglands",{"title":174,"description":175,"path":176,"icon":177,"order":178,"comingSoon":10,"to":179,"conditionCount":18},"Lymph","The emotional and spiritual meaning of the lymph: what it may say about feelings that can no longer be held, insecurity, and the need for joy to circulate.","\u002Fareas\u002Flymph","i-lucide-waves",23,"\u002Flymph",{"title":181,"description":182,"path":183,"icon":48,"order":184,"comingSoon":10,"to":185,"conditionCount":64},"Whole body","The emotional and spiritual meaning of whole-body symptoms: fever, tiredness, weight and sweating, and what they say about energy and protection.","\u002Fareas\u002Fwhole-body",24,"\u002Fwhole-body",[187,190,193,196,199,202,205,208,211,214,217,220,223,226,229,232,235,238,241,244,247,250,253,256,259,262,265,268,271,274,277,280,283,286,289,292],{"title":188,"path":189},"Abandonment","\u002Femotions\u002Fabandonment",{"title":191,"path":192},"Aggressiveness","\u002Femotions\u002Faggressiveness",{"title":194,"path":195},"Agoraphobia","\u002Femotions\u002Fagoraphobia",{"title":197,"path":198},"Anger","\u002Femotions\u002Fanger",{"title":200,"path":201},"Anguish","\u002Femotions\u002Fanguish",{"title":203,"path":204},"Anxiety","\u002Femotions\u002Fanxiety",{"title":206,"path":207},"Apathy","\u002Femotions\u002Fapathy",{"title":209,"path":210},"Apprehension","\u002Femotions\u002Fapprehension",{"title":212,"path":213},"Boredom","\u002Femotions\u002Fboredom",{"title":215,"path":216},"Burnout","\u002Femotions\u002Fburnout",{"title":218,"path":219},"Claustrophobia","\u002Femotions\u002Fclaustrophobia",{"title":221,"path":222},"Crying","\u002Femotions\u002Fcrying",{"title":224,"path":225},"Dependence","\u002Femotions\u002Fdependence",{"title":227,"path":228},"Depression","\u002Femotions\u002Fdepression",{"title":230,"path":231},"Emotivity","\u002Femotions\u002Femotivity",{"title":233,"path":234},"Fear","\u002Femotions\u002Ffear",{"title":236,"path":237},"Grief","\u002Femotions\u002Fgrief",{"title":239,"path":240},"Guilt","\u002Femotions\u002Fguilt",{"title":242,"path":243},"Hate","\u002Femotions\u002Fhate",{"title":245,"path":246},"Impatience","\u002Femotions\u002Fimpatience",{"title":248,"path":249},"Jealousy","\u002Femotions\u002Fjealousy",{"title":251,"path":252},"Loneliness","\u002Femotions\u002Floneliness",{"title":254,"path":255},"Melancholy","\u002Femotions\u002Fmelancholy",{"title":257,"path":258},"Nostalgia","\u002Femotions\u002Fnostalgia",{"title":260,"path":261},"Phobia","\u002Femotions\u002Fphobia",{"title":263,"path":264},"Regret","\u002Femotions\u002Fregret",{"title":266,"path":267},"Rejection","\u002Femotions\u002Frejection",{"title":269,"path":270},"Resentment","\u002Femotions\u002Fresentment",{"title":272,"path":273},"Sadness","\u002Femotions\u002Fsadness",{"title":275,"path":276},"Shame","\u002Femotions\u002Fshame",{"title":278,"path":279},"Sorrow","\u002Femotions\u002Fsorrow",{"title":281,"path":282},"Stress","\u002Femotions\u002Fstress",{"title":284,"path":285},"Timidity","\u002Femotions\u002Ftimidity",{"title":287,"path":288},"Weariness","\u002Femotions\u002Fweariness",{"title":290,"path":291},"Withdrawal","\u002Femotions\u002Fwithdrawal",{"title":293,"path":294},"Worry","\u002Femotions\u002Fworry",{"id":296,"title":297,"body":298,"category":720,"dateModified":721,"datePublished":721,"description":722,"extension":723,"image":724,"medicalSources":725,"meta":726,"navigation":727,"path":728,"readingTime":25,"relatedGuides":729,"seo":732,"seoTitle":733,"sources":734,"stem":735,"summary":736,"__hash__":737},"guides\u002Fguides\u002Femotions-body-map.md","Emotions body map: where feelings settle in the body",{"type":299,"value":300,"toc":710},"minimark",[301,305,308,315,330,333,338,609,617,621,627,631,640,644,651,655,661,665,693,697,707],[302,303,304],"p",{},"People often ask where emotions are \"stored\" in the body. Science does not show feelings being stored in organs. However, many people notice that stress, grief or anger seem to show up in a particular place: a tight jaw, heavy shoulders, a knotted stomach.",[302,306,307],{},"The symbolic approach to the body gives each region a meaning. This map brings together the readings from our pages, so you can see them all at once and follow the ones that speak to you.",[302,309,310],{},[311,312],"img",{"alt":313,"src":314},"Body map showing where emotions are said to settle: head, eyes and ears, jaw, throat, shoulders, chest and heart, lungs, liver, stomach, back, arms and hands, hips, skin, knees, legs and feet","\u002Fguides\u002Femotions-body-map.webp",[302,316,317,325,326],{},[318,319,320],"strong",{},[321,322,324],"a",{"href":323},"\u002Fguides\u002Femotions-body-map.pdf","Download the printable body map (PDF)"," · ",[321,327,329],{"href":328},"\u002Fguides\u002Femotions-body-map.png","PNG image",[302,331,332],{},"You are welcome to print it, use it in a journal, or share it with a link back to this page.",[334,335,337],"h2",{"id":336},"the-map-area-by-area","The map, area by area",[339,340,341,357],"table",{},[342,343,344],"thead",{},[345,346,347,351,354],"tr",{},[348,349,350],"th",{},"Part of the body",[348,352,353],{},"Feelings it is often linked with",[348,355,356],{},"Read more",[358,359,360,377,388,406,422,437,452,467,482,497,509,526,540,551,566,580,594],"tbody",{},[345,361,362,366,369],{},[363,364,365],"td",{},"Head",[363,367,368],{},"Control, worry, mental pressure",[363,370,371,373,374],{},[321,372,5],{"href":11},", ",[321,375,376],{"href":294},"worry",[345,378,379,381,384],{},[363,380,14],{},[363,382,383],{},"What you refuse to see or hear",[363,385,386],{},[321,387,14],{"href":19},[345,389,390,393,396],{},[363,391,392],{},"Jaw",[363,394,395],{},"Held-back anger, words not said",[363,397,398,373,402],{},[321,399,401],{"href":400},"\u002Fmouth-and-teeth\u002Fjaw-pain","Jaw pain",[321,403,405],{"href":404},"\u002Fmouth-and-teeth\u002Fteeth-grinding","teeth grinding",[345,407,408,411,414],{},[363,409,410],{},"Throat",[363,412,413],{},"Speaking up, taking your place",[363,415,416,373,418],{},[321,417,160],{"href":165},[321,419,421],{"href":420},"\u002Frespiratory-system\u002Fsore-throat","sore throat",[345,423,424,426,429],{},[363,425,119],{},[363,427,428],{},"Burdens, responsibility",[363,430,431,373,433],{},[321,432,119],{"href":124},[321,434,436],{"href":435},"\u002Fshoulders\u002Fshoulder-pain","shoulder pain",[345,438,439,442,445],{},[363,440,441],{},"Chest and heart",[363,443,444],{},"Love, sorrow, joy of living",[363,446,447,373,449],{},[321,448,29],{"href":34},[321,450,451],{"href":279},"sorrow",[345,453,454,457,460],{},[363,455,456],{},"Lungs",[363,458,459],{},"Grief, personal space, taste for life",[363,461,462,373,464],{},[321,463,21],{"href":26},[321,465,466],{"href":237},"grief",[345,468,469,472,475],{},[363,470,471],{},"Liver",[363,473,474],{},"Anger, bitterness, criticism",[363,476,477,373,479],{},[321,478,93],{"href":97},[321,480,481],{"href":198},"anger",[345,483,484,487,490],{},[363,485,486],{},"Stomach",[363,488,489],{},"Fear, what you cannot digest",[363,491,492,373,494],{},[321,493,37],{"href":42},[321,495,496],{"href":234},"fear",[345,498,499,502,505],{},[363,500,501],{},"Kidneys",[363,503,504],{},"Fear, balance, letting go",[363,506,507],{},[321,508,501],{"href":78},[345,510,511,514,517],{},[363,512,513],{},"Middle back",[363,515,516],{},"Guilt, the past",[363,518,519,373,523],{},[321,520,522],{"href":521},"\u002Fback\u002Fmiddle-back-pain","Middle back pain",[321,524,525],{"href":240},"guilt",[345,527,528,531,534],{},[363,529,530],{},"Lower back",[363,532,533],{},"Support, security, money worries",[363,535,536],{},[321,537,539],{"href":538},"\u002Fback\u002Flower-back-pain","Lower back pain",[345,541,542,544,547],{},[363,543,126],{},[363,545,546],{},"Giving, receiving, action",[363,548,549],{},[321,550,126],{"href":130},[345,552,553,555,558],{},[363,554,132],{},[363,556,557],{},"Moving forward, decisions",[363,559,560,373,562],{},[321,561,132],{"href":137},[321,563,565],{"href":564},"\u002Fhips\u002Fhip-pain","hip pain",[345,567,568,570,573],{},[363,569,52],{},[363,571,572],{},"Boundaries, contact, self-image",[363,574,575,373,577],{},[321,576,52],{"href":57},[321,578,579],{"href":267},"rejection",[345,581,582,585,588],{},[363,583,584],{},"Knees",[363,586,587],{},"Pride, flexibility",[363,589,590],{},[321,591,593],{"href":592},"\u002Fjoints-and-bones\u002Fknee-pain","Knee pain",[345,595,596,598,601],{},[363,597,139],{},[363,599,600],{},"Moving forward, direction, autonomy",[363,602,603,373,605],{},[321,604,139],{"href":144},[321,606,608],{"href":607},"\u002Flegs-and-feet\u002Ffoot-pain","foot pain",[302,610,611,612,616],{},"The side of the body can add a nuance as well. See ",[321,613,615],{"href":614},"\u002Fguides\u002Fleft-vs-right-side-of-the-body","the left and right sides of the body",".",[334,618,620],{"id":619},"where-is-anger-stored-in-the-body","Where is anger stored in the body?",[302,622,623,624,626],{},"Anger is most often read in the liver and gallbladder, and in a clenched jaw. When anger is held back, it may also show as inflammation, a burning sensation, or tension in the neck and shoulders. See ",[321,625,481],{"href":198}," for every condition linked with it.",[334,628,630],{"id":629},"where-is-fear-stored-in-the-body","Where is fear stored in the body?",[302,632,633,634,636,637,616],{},"Fear is linked with the kidneys and the bladder, and with the stomach and bowel, the places that \"hold\" or \"let go\". See ",[321,635,496],{"href":234}," and ",[321,638,639],{"href":204},"anxiety",[334,641,643],{"id":642},"where-is-grief-stored-in-the-body","Where is grief stored in the body?",[302,645,646,647,636,649,616],{},"Grief and sadness are read in the lungs and the chest: the breath that catches, the heaviness around the heart. See ",[321,648,466],{"href":237},[321,650,451],{"href":279},[334,652,654],{"id":653},"where-is-stress-stored-in-the-body","Where is stress stored in the body?",[302,656,657,658,616],{},"Stress spreads across the body, but it is often felt in the shoulders and neck, the jaw, the stomach and the back. See ",[321,659,660],{"href":282},"stress",[334,662,664],{"id":663},"how-to-use-the-map","How to use the map",[666,667,668,675,681,687],"ol",{},[669,670,671,674],"li",{},[318,672,673],{},"Start from the body."," Notice where you feel tension or pain today, and read what that area is linked with.",[669,676,677,680],{},[318,678,679],{},"Or start from the feeling."," If a feeling has been with you for a while, look at where it is said to settle, and check in with that part of your body.",[669,682,683,686],{},[318,684,685],{},"Ask, do not conclude."," Each reading is a question you are free to recognise or not. It does not explain why you are ill.",[669,688,689,692],{},[318,690,691],{},"Keep your care going."," A symptom always deserves medical attention. Use the map alongside your treatment, never instead of it.",[334,694,696],{"id":695},"a-note-on-science","A note on science",[302,698,699,700,706],{},"Studies on how people feel emotions in their body, such as the well-known ",[321,701,705],{"href":702,"rel":703},"https:\u002F\u002Fdoi.org\u002F10.1073\u002Fpnas.1321664111",[704],"nofollow","bodily maps of emotions"," (Nummenmaa and colleagues, 2014), show that people across cultures describe similar sensations: warmth in the chest with love, tightness with fear. That research is about felt sensations, not about organs storing feelings. The map on this page is a symbolic, spiritual tool for reflection, not a medical explanation.",[302,708,709],{},"If you have a symptom that worries you, please see a doctor. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.",{"title":711,"searchDepth":18,"depth":18,"links":712},"",[713,714,715,716,717,718,719],{"id":336,"depth":18,"text":337},{"id":619,"depth":18,"text":620},{"id":629,"depth":18,"text":630},{"id":642,"depth":18,"text":643},{"id":653,"depth":18,"text":654},{"id":663,"depth":18,"text":664},{"id":695,"depth":18,"text":696},"body-maps","2026-10-06","A free, printable body map of emotions: where anger, fear, grief, guilt and other feelings are said to settle in the body, with a page for each area.","md",null,[],{},true,"\u002Fguides\u002Femotions-body-map",[730,614,731],"\u002Fguides\u002Fcan-emotions-cause-physical-pain","\u002Fguides\u002Fpsychosomatic-illness",{"title":297,"description":722},"Emotions Stored in the Body: Free Body Map (PDF)",[],"guides\u002Femotions-body-map","In the emotional and spiritual approach to health, each part of the body is linked with certain feelings. Anger is often read in the liver and jaw, fear in the kidneys and stomach, grief in the lungs, and burdens in the shoulders and back. This map gathers those links on one page.","TIOdObBOl6Yf-dswvBf96o8HXS-jQYXqd6uqvqVqYtU",[739,743,746],{"path":730,"title":740,"description":741,"category":742,"readingTime":56},"Can emotions cause physical pain?","How stress, fear and grief can intensify or contribute to physical pain, where people feel each emotion, and what helps, from medicine and the symbolic view.","emotions",{"path":614,"title":744,"description":745,"category":720,"readingTime":64},"Left side vs right side of the body: spiritual meaning","The emotional and spiritual meaning of the left and right sides of the body: the feminine and masculine principles, and how they apply to pain.",{"path":731,"title":747,"description":748,"category":749,"readingTime":71},"Psychosomatic illness: when emotions show up in the body","What psychosomatic illness really means, why the symptoms are real, how stress affects the body, and how the symbolic approach reads it.","the-approach",1791298647271]