Often, when people are experiencing menta lhealth concerns like depression, they tend to hear things like: “You need to get out more” “Have you tried yoga or meditation?” “Get a hobby or a pet”, when these suggestions come to us over time, we tend to internalize the belief that ‘distracting’ ourselves from the emotions that may be arising may do the trick to keep them away.

However, while certain kinds of distraction employed and supported by your mental health professional in specific contexts may be helpful, we must understand that any sort of distraction is going to be temporary. The intense emotions bubbling up are usually messengers for something that may require care and attention and will keep coming up until we are able to resolve the inner conflict or needs arising. Sometimes it’s best to actively seek therapeutic support to respond and cope in a healthy manner!