@jacor - thank you for sharing this on behalf of @cristi I just hit the follow button. :)
Brain function is so fascinating. I would agree with @kyriacos to a certain extent that avoiding the realities of a situation may be more harmful in the long run, I do agree with you that it's a good temporary fix in the short term in order to find balance to deal with one's reality.

I couldn't help but think about things like eating disorders and the white bear while reading your post. While people with anorexia/bulimia fight the consumption of food and their perception of body & weight, one of the biggest battle is really that they think about food all the time, dare I say, being manic about it. In my opinion, saving thought, gratitude and direct confrontation would definitely be tools to help them as well.

But we're all kids in a way. If you say no/bad/don't do that, there is an air of mystery and longing because we're curious. WHY, no? What makes it so bad? Why can't I? Which often segues into the idea that we don't think about our own mortality...until we have no choice but to face it.

I'm looking forward to more of your articles!