By context, I'm referring to Theseus's link, which I'm assuming is the context of the OP.
(I meant be emotionally out of breath ... not emotionally holding your breath).
I rambled on before -- I should have just summed it up:
The dilemma is ... what's worse?
a. Showing your true self to the world, how you truly feel inside (even if it shows you're hurting/bleeding) by being more relaxed and comfortable with your emotions - i.e., by allowing yourself to breathe (emotionally).
or
b. putting on a happy face and bottling up your emotions, emotionally tying yourself up (in knots) - be out of breath (emotionally).