Suppress

Traditionally, suppression was thought to be universally maladaptive due to the "rebound effect"—the idea that the more you try to ignore a thought (like a "white bear"), the more frequently it returns . However, perspective is shifting:

A 2023 University of Cambridge study found that training people to suppress fearful thoughts actually reduced their anxiety and improved mental health . suppress

Acknowledge the feeling privately (e.g., "I am feeling very angry right now") even if you can't express it publicly . You know you are upset but choose to

You know you are upset but choose to ignore it to focus on a task, like staying calm during a presentation . How to Regulate Your Emotions Without Suppressing Them

How to Regulate Emotions Without Suppressing Them offers research-backed alternatives like cognitive reappraisal .

Improving mental health by training suppression details the recent study on how proactive suppression can actually help . How to Regulate Your Emotions Without Suppressing Them

What Is Suppression? covers the paradoxical effects of forcing thoughts away .