We all struggle with upsetting, unbidden ideas.
If you’re an overthinker, you’ll never relate to this more.
But for those of us with more serious conditions like anxiety and depression, our negative thoughts can be our worse enemies.
However, all hope is not lost.
While some pop psychology content creators on TikTok may tell you that confronting those inner demons are necessary for long-term healing.
The opposite may be the case instead.
Recent studies conducted by scientists at the University of Cambridge suggests that suppressing negative thoughts can be beneficial for mental health.
These findings challenge the age-old belief that suppressing thoughts is detrimental.
The Thought Suppression Experiment
120 participants from 16 countries were each asked to list 20 fears about things that might happen in the future, 20 hopes and 36 neutral events, such a job interview or a driving test.
Then they had to decide on a cue word word that reminded them of each type of event.
For instance, if your worry was job interview you cue word may be ‘interview’.
The participants were asked to stare at one of their cue words for a few seconds.
If the future event pops into their heads they were asked to block it out without substituting with another thought.
The trick is simply to empty the mind (easier said than done).
The results showed great promise.
Participants remarked that suppressed events became less vivid and less emotionally distressing, leading to overall mental health improvement.
While the practical everyday applications for this experiment has not been given, it does open new ways of treating mental illness in the future.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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