How to Regulate Emotions Without Suppressing Them offers research-backed alternatives like cognitive reappraisal .
A 2023 University of Cambridge study found that training people to suppress fearful thoughts actually reduced their anxiety and improved mental health .
Acknowledge the feeling privately (e.g., "I am feeling very angry right now") even if you can't express it publicly . suppress
According to experts at 7 Cups , suppression works best as a temporary tool when paired with a "return plan" :
You know you are upset but choose to ignore it to focus on a task, like staying calm during a presentation . How to Regulate Emotions Without Suppressing Them offers
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
Use it to get through a high-stakes moment, but set aside time later to actually process the emotion through journaling or therapy . Helpful Resources for Deep Dives According to experts at 7 Cups , suppression
Overuse of suppression can lead to "blunted reward responsivity," where you lose the ability to feel positive emotions as well as negative ones . It is also linked to physical stress symptoms like high blood pressure and tension headaches . 2. Suppression vs. Repression