The Hidden Burden: How Secrets Can Weigh Heavy on Your Mind (and Body)
Everybody keeps a secret. It might be a surprise birthday for a buddy or a skill you haven’t shared. However, what occurs when the secrets become a burden on us? Research reveals that keeping secrets can be bad for our overall well-being in numerous ways. In actuality, the damage may be surprisingly substantial.
It’s not because you’re worried you’ll get caught. However, researchers write. The distress stems from brooding over the unspoken information. The more time spent on our minds considering the unknown, the less good we are likely to feel. People experience more symptoms of despair, nervousness, and even difficulty when they remember.
The secret type is also significant. A white lie about forgetting an anniversary won’t hurt anyone. However, this will not be the case with a secret about rotten behavior. Such secrets cause a sense of guilt or shame of two dissimilar feelings with distinct consequences. Guilt is a sense of “I screwed up” after a poor choice, while shame is the gap of worth about yourself, even though you haven’t done anything wrong.
I agree with psychologist Dr. Sarah Johnson when she writes that “Secrets which introduce shamefulness are particularly ruinous. People are terrified of being judged, excluded, and ridiculed. They are anxious and afraid of being anxious.
However, there aren’t there some “good” secrets? Absolutely! Some secrets can be empowering because they give you power and control or give you privacy. The important thing is to understand why you’re keeping it a secret. This self-knowledge allows you to handle all the emotions it arouses and exiles any unhealthy dwelling.
Nevertheless, secrecy does damage to our relationships. By withholding vital information from the people we care about, we prevent true closeness and trust. In time, this weakens significant connections.
“It’s essential to remember that secrets are also a hidden category of data,” continues Dr. Johnson. “They severely impact our mental and emotional health.” In case you feel oppressed by the secret, don’t hesitate to share this information with someone – close friends or family, even a therapist can help you carry the burden. And the relief you get is indeed enormous.
The bottom line is clear: keeping secrets is a controversial business. Ignoring problems sounds beneficial. In the long term, however, it harms our physical and mental well-being. The strategy is simple. Recognizing the negative effects of secret means that you will not wear this “evil mark.” It also means that your intimate connections will be more genuine and heartfelt.
