When we try to lift our spirits by avoiding negative thoughts, we are attempting<u>thought suppression</u>. This strategy often has a <u>rebound</u> effect. When we focus on our negative thoughts, we are engaged in <u>rumination</u>. This strategy prolongs our unhappy mood and undermines better strategies, such as <u>distraction</u>.
*A <em>rebound effect</em> of thought suppression represents an increased return of the unwanted thought.
<em>*Rumination</em> in psychology represents our continuous focus on something that makes us stressed out or unhappy.
<em>*Distraction</em> refers to our behaviors that enable us to get our mind off something that we are anxious about.