"Avoiding thoughts and emotions often makes them more persistent and intense. When you tell yourself something is bad enough to avoid, your brain wants to check in to make sure you're succeeding with this task you've deemed very important."
"The same thing happens when we use our behavior to avoid emotions. For instance, a client described himself as constantly on edge, waking up with a racing heart, which illustrates the impact of avoidance on emotional well-being."
Avoidance of uncomfortable thoughts and emotions can lead to increased persistence and intensity of those feelings. Humans instinctively seek to minimize pain, leading to avoidance behaviors. However, this approach often backfires, as attempting to suppress thoughts can make them more prominent. An exercise illustrates this paradox, showing that trying not to think about something often results in increased focus on it. Small changes in how one responds to emotions can facilitate better emotional management and allow for letting go of negative feelings.
Read at Psychology Today
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