Bubble Guts & Sweaty Palms: Your Body’s Petty Response to Rejection

Tanesha Moody
Apr 26
4 min read

Bubble Guts & Sweaty Palms: Your Body’s Petty Response to Rejection

Rejection - Tanesha L. Moody - Full Out Coaching

Our bodies know what’s up before our minds do. Long before we can label the sting of rejection, our bodies are already throwing up red flags. Our bodies can process feelings that we can’t always label. As a dancer, expressing and articulating emotions through movement has always come more naturally than verbally relying on words. We’re taught to leverage our whole bodies as a canvas to convey stories and feelings that resonate with an audience.

Unfortunately, we often overlook the importance of teaching others how to communicate emotions in healthy and effective ways, especially the most fun ones related to rejection. One peek at the news can reveal this is true since the aftermath and repercussions of some of the most disturbing occurrences reflect uncommunicated or poorly communicated emotions.

When it comes to experiencing rejection, many physical sensations can pop up. Since sometimes our bodies register that we’re experiencing rejection faster and more accurately than other parts of our beautiful bodies, such as our minds, being aware of what experiencing rejection can feel like in our bodies physically is essential to our overall well-being.

Here are some of the telltale signs my body likes to throw at me during rejection moments:

🐝 The Swarm of Angry Wasps (aka Bubble Guts). Rejection can stir unpleasant sensations in our stomachs. Some of us may not have butterflies because those seem a bit more optimistic, hopeful, and cheery, but maybe a swarm of wasps buzzing around in our stomachs and stinging us when the realization that we’re experiencing rejection hits.

💔 Tightness in the Chest (The Vice-Grip of Feels). Especially when the rejection comes from someone close to us (hello, personal relationships) who we care about, there can be a constriction within our chests that contracts or pulses like a vice squeezing our hearts.

🦵 Tense Muscles (Your Shoulders Aren’t Earrings, Sis). When rejection catches me off guard, my whole body reacts. Depending on the rejection we are experiencing, our necks, jaws, shoulders, or other parts of our bodies may stiffen in response.

🔥 Body Temperature Changes (Where Did This Sweat Come From?!). I sweat during many activities, but there’s nothing like a hot flash and purging of sweat when I’m experiencing rejection. One minute, I’m fine, and the next, I’m in a personal sauna I didn’t sign up for. Thanks, rejection.

😭 Crying (Tears on Demand). For me, tears are like a friend who shows up uninvited but means well. As soon as my body recognizes that it isn’t welcomed or accepted in the situation, my eyes are prepared to release every flood of emotion in response to the rejection encountered. It’s my body’s way of cleansing the moment.

So, Why Does This Matter?

Because if we can recognize these physical reactions for what they are — standard, natural, human responses — we can meet them with compassion instead of shame. We all experience rejection, but our bodies don’t all react the same way. You might not get the sweaty sauna experience, but maybe you feel that chest-tightening grip. Or perhaps you have your own unique “tells.” Rejection doesn't just come from our feelings — it comes for our bodies, too.

When we’re aware of potential emotional responses that may occur in our bodies when experiencing rejection, we can prepare ourselves to cope effectively with the emotions and reactions as they arise. Anticipating and being prepared to navigate rejection involves expecting it and being ready to handle the accompanying emotional response, whatever it may be.

So, What Can We Do About It?

I'm glad you asked!

Over time, I’ve developed several strategies for managing the feelings that surface when I face rejection.

🧘‍♀️ Breathwork—It’s not revolutionary, but it is effective. Deep, slow breathing calms the nervous system and reminds my body that it is safe.

🙏 Prayer: When my mind runs wild (as it usually does!), I hand it over to God. It reminds me that I’m not doing this life thing alone and can lean on a power greater than myself.

🤲 Self-Grace – No matter how many tools I have, sometimes the tears, sweat, and tension still come. And instead of fighting it, I let it be. I remind myself that my body's doing its job. It’s reacting to a threat — and while rejection feels like a threat, it isn’t one.

Through consistent practice, I can depend on these techniques when I feel emotionally overwhelmed or when the rejection hits. I know I can’t prevent these feelings from surfacing one hundred percent of the time, especially when I receive a rejection of my most vulnerable personal offers. I am confident, however, that we can navigate the rejection and any side-kick emotional responses by leveraging a combination of practical strategies.

And, hey! Maybe we’ll feel confident about navigating rejection and the accompanying emotions together.

What’s the Big Takeaway?

Rejection isn’t just an emotional experience—it’s a full-body event. From bubble guts to chest tightness to random bursts of sweat, your body makes sure you feel it. But with awareness, preparation, and a little bit of grace, we can more easily navigate these physical responses.

Rejection might be unavoidable, but it doesn’t have to run the show. And if you need a reminder, I’m right here — navigating it with you, sweaty palms and all.

Your body's reaction is normal — but staying stuck in it isn't. Full Out Coaching gives you the tools to move forward, full out and fear-free. Book a complimentary discovery call today or follow along on the blog for more insights and inspiration.

https://www.taneshalmoody.com/coaching

<!-- LinkedInContent: 🔥 Bubble Guts & Sweaty Palms: Your Body’s Petty Response to Rejection 🔥

Rejection isn’t just an emotional experience—it’s a full-body event. 💡 From bubble guts to sweaty palms, our bodies have *a lot* to say when rejection hits.

In my latest blog, I explore why these physical responses matter and how to navigate them with grace:

🧘‍♀️ Breathwork to calm the nervous system.

🙏 Prayer to ground your thoughts.

🤲 Self-grace to embrace your humanity.

Rejection is messy, sweaty, and sometimes overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to control you. 💬 What’s your body’s “tell” when rejection shows up? Let’s talk about it in the comments.

Read the full blog below. 🔗

#RejectionIsGrowth #LiveFullOut #FullOutCoaching #Resilience #MindsetShift #EmotionalWellness -->