Can you Bury a Thought?

🎃 Can You Bury a Thought? Why Unwanted Thoughts Keep Coming Back

Have you ever tried desperately not to think about something, only to find that the thought keeps coming back?

Perhaps it's an embarrassing conversation, a painful memory, an unanswered message, or something you wish you could simply forget.

In this Halloween special of Just a Minute with Dr Kumari, we're exploring why some thoughts seem determined to rise from the grave!

Drawing on psychological research into thought suppression, rumination and intrusive thoughts — including the famous white bear experiment — Dr Kumari, Clinical Psychologist, Aotearoa, New Zealand, explores what happens when we try to push unwanted thoughts out of our minds.

We'll explore:

• Why trying not to think about something can sometimes make it return

• The difference between thought suppression and rumination

• Why emotionally significant memories can be particularly persistent

• How our attempts to control thoughts can sometimes increase our distress

• Five evidence-informed ways to respond differently to unwanted thoughts

You'll also be invited to try a short mindfulness exercise and reflect on your own relationship with difficult thoughts.

Because perhaps the answer isn't to bury our thoughts at all.

Perhaps it's learning that we don't have to believe, solve or fight every thought that appears.

A little reminder: Just because a thought comes back doesn't mean you have to follow it.

🎧 Take a few minutes for yourself and join me for this Halloween special of Just a Minute with Dr Kumari.