Poor health? This could be the reason

You eat well. You try to stay active. You even take your supplements. But the fatigue lingers. You feel inflamed in ways that are hard to explain. Your gut’s unsettled, your joints ache, and your energy doesn’t bounce back like it used to.

You think to yourself, “Why do I feel this way when I’m doing everything right?”

The answer might not be in your food, your hormones, or your routine. It might be in something that happened years ago.

What is emotional inflammation and why does it matter?

There’s a growing area of science revealing something fascinating and a little confronting: unresolved emotional stress doesn’t just live in your head. It can live in your body, quietly fuelling a form of low-grade, chronic inflammation that affects everything from your digestion to your skin, your immunity, and even how quickly you age.

This isn’t the same as the kind of inflammation you get from an injury or infection. That’s acute and helpful, your body doing its job. Emotional inflammation, on the other hand, is sneakier. It simmers under the surface, a slow burn caused by an overactive stress response system that’s never been able to fully switch off.

And it doesn’t necessarily require a big, traumatic event. Emotional inflammation can be the result of long-term stress, grief that never got processed, a relationship that wore you down, childhood patterns that still echo today, or even the constant over-stimulation of modern life.

Your body remembers more than you think.

How emotional stress turns into physical symptoms

When something stressful happens, whether it’s a heartbreak, work burnout, or a difficult childhood your body enters a protective state. It releases cortisol and other stress hormones to help you cope. That’s normal and healthy in short bursts.

But when the stress is ongoing or never resolved, your body can stay in a state of low-level “fight or flight.” This means stress hormones continue to drip into your system, disrupting sleep, digestion, immune function, and even how your body heals and regenerates.

Over time, this can lead to physical symptoms like:

• Bloating or poor gut health

• Stubborn fatigue, even with rest

• Muscle tension and joint pain

• Skin flare-ups or dull complexion

• Low immunity or frequent colds

• Brain fog and lack of motivation

If you’ve ever felt like your body is “off,” but your medical tests come back fine, this could be a missing piece of the puzzle.

You don’t have to relive the past to heal it

The good news? You don’t have to unpack every painful memory to start shifting how your body holds stress. You just need to create more safety, whether it is physical, emotional, or nervous system safety so your body can stop being on high alert all the time.

Here’s how you can gently start supporting your body and calming emotional inflammation:

Tune into what your body is telling you

Start by paying attention to your body’s cues. Do you get tension in your shoulders when you’re overwhelmed? Is your digestion worse after conflict or overstimulation? These little signals help you reconnect with your body and respond with care instead of frustration.

Use breath to calm the internal fire

When you feel tense or wired, try lengthening your exhale. Breathe in for four counts, out for six or more. This simple shift taps into your parasympathetic nervous system, your body’s natural “rest and digest” mode, and can reduce inflammation over time.

Create a rhythm your body can rely on

Your body thrives on predictability. Try to keep your sleep and mealtimes regular. Create little daily rituals like stretching before bed or taking a short walk after lunch. These small, grounding habits help your nervous system feel safe and reduce background stress.

Let your body move emotions

You don’t always need words to process emotion. Gentle movement like yoga, intuitive dance, swimming, or simply walking can help shift stuck emotional energy and support detoxification through the lymphatic system. It’s also one of the best ways to lower cortisol naturally.

Eat to soothe your gut and your mood

When your nervous system is under strain, your gut often takes a hit. Focus on simple, nourishing foods: warm stews, root vegetables, fermented foods, herbal teas, and healthy fats like avocado and flaxseed. Avoid ultra-processed snacks and high-sugar foods that spike inflammation.

Reconnect with friends

Social connection is one of the most underrated healing tools we have. If life’s been isolating or you’ve withdrawn out of habit, try reaching out to someone you trust. Even a five-minute chat or walk with a friend can soothe your nervous system and lower inflammation markers.

Choose what you feed your mind

Endless news cycles, true crime podcasts, stressful emails at 10pm…your body registers all of it as input. If your stress feels invisible, check your media diet. Give yourself a “mental anti-inflammatory” by adding more music, nature, stillness, and uplifting content.

Try self-compassion instead of self-improvement

You don’t need to “fix” yourself to feel better. Emotional inflammation often reduces when you stop pushing and start accepting. Speak to yourself kindly. Celebrate small wins. Rest when you’re tired. Your body responds to love far better than pressure.

Explore somatic and body-based practices

Techniques like somatic experiencing, tapping (EFT), and even therapeutic massage can help release stored emotional tension that traditional talking therapies sometimes miss. If you feel stuck, these gentle approaches may offer a new way forward.

Give it time and trust your body’s wisdom

Emotional healing isn’t linear. Some days you’ll feel clearer, others more unsettled. That’s okay. The important part is that you’re listening to your body, responding with kindness, and making space for release, however slow or subtle it may be.

If your body’s been carrying stress for a long time, it doesn’t need punishment. It needs peace. Small shifts, consistent care, and a bit of compassion can go a long way in easing inflammation and bringing you back to yourself.

This week, think less about pushing through, and more about softening. Your body is listening.

The information provided in this newsletter is for general guidance and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your health and wellness routine.

Wishing you good health,

The Wellness Valet Team

Recipe of the Week: Calming Turmeric Coconut Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp coconut oil

• 1 small onion, finely chopped

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 tsp freshly grated ginger

• 1 tsp turmeric powder

• 1 medium carrot, thinly sliced

• 1 small sweet potato, diced

• 400ml coconut milk

• 500ml vegetable broth

• Sea salt and black pepper, to taste

• Juice of half a lemon

• Fresh coriander (optional), for garnish

Method

• Heat coconut oil in a pot over medium heat. Sauté the onion until soft.

• Add garlic, ginger, and turmeric. Stir for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.

• Add the carrot and sweet potato. Stir to coat.

• Pour in the coconut milk and broth. Bring to a simmer.

• Let it simmer gently for 20–25 minutes until the vegetables are soft.

• Blend until smooth (or leave a few chunks for texture).

• Season with salt, pepper, and lemon juice.

• Garnish with fresh coriander and serve warm.

This coconut turmeric soup is more than just comforting, it’s your nervous system’s best friend. Rich in anti-inflammatory spices and easy to digest, it’s a beautiful way to nurture your body from the inside out.