Suppressing Negative Thoughts May Improve Mental Health

Psychologists have traditionally believed that suppressing negative thoughts can worsen mental health.
New research challenges this belief, suggesting that suppressing negative thoughts may improve symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
The study involved 120 adults who were asked to list 20 fears, 20 hopes, and 36 neutral events.
Participants were instructed to suppress negative thoughts associated with a specific word, while another group suppressed neutral thoughts.
Those who blocked out negative thoughts reported less vivid fears and improved mental health.
This technique may be a valuable tool for treating mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and PTSD.