Summary: Contrary to popular belief, suppressing negative thoughts can actually improve mental health, according to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Cambridge. The study trained participants to suppress their fears and worries, finding that these thoughts became less vivid and participants’ mental health improved. The study challenges traditional clinical beliefs that thought suppression is ineffective and actually leads to the intensification of negative thoughts. Participants who continued to practice the thought-suppression technique even after the study experienced continued benefits in their mental health. The findings suggest that actively suppressing fearful thoughts could be beneficial.
Dr Emma Johnson, MD, Cure of Mind