#Selfdistancing

A leading emotion scientist challenges common self-help rules about feelings.
He says popular tips like constant mindfulness and unfiltered venting can harm emotional recovery. (BigThink) (BigThink article)

The claim matters for mental health policy in Thailand.
Many Thais face stress and mood problems that need effective coping tools. (WHO; Thai studies) (WHO Thailand feature) (Thai student depression review)

The core message comes from an expert summary and decades of lab and field research.
The research shows one-size-fits-all emotion advice fails scientific tests. (BigThink article) (Ayduk & Kross 2010 review)

Scientific Breakthrough Reveals Popular Self-Help Strategies May Harm Mental Health Recovery

A groundbreaking psychological study has shattered conventional wisdom about emotional wellness, revealing that widely promoted strategies like constant mindfulness and unrestricted emotional venting can actually impede psychological healing and increase distress. This research, conducted by leading emotion regulation scientists and published in comprehensive psychological reviews, challenges fundamental assumptions that have shaped mental health advice across cultures, including Thailand’s approach to emotional well-being.

A recent body of psychological research challenges popular self-help approaches that many Thai communities encounter, suggesting that constant mindfulness and unrestrained venting may not always aid mental health recovery. The findings invite a nuanced view of emotional strategies, balancing traditional wisdom with scientific insight to better support Thai readers.

In Thailand, mental health concerns are rising, and communities seek practical guidance on managing stress, anxiety, and depression. Data from Thailand’s health surveys and university studies indicate notable levels of psychological distress among students and adults, underscoring the need for evidence-based approaches that fit local realities and cultural values.