Are You Engaging In Emotional Novocaine? A PhD Explains The Sneaky Signs

On an episode of the mindbodygreen podcast, developmental psychologist Sasha Heinz, Ph.D., who is an expert in behavioral change and positive psychology, discussed some of the most common emotional coping methods out there. Here, one method she recommends avoiding, if you can. 

There are plenty of strategies people use to numb their emotions, but Heinz emphasizes that it's quite common (so you're not alone). Some people may even engage in a few different emotional novocaine activities in a single setting. A few examples include: 

"There are different flavors of emotional novocaine, and everyone has different or multiple versions of it," Heinz says. Which emotionally numbing activity you choose may depend on the feeling or feelings you're hoping to avoid or whatever best distracts you the most at the moment. 

If you find yourself reverting to this activity when negative emotions come up, whether it be loneliness, boredom, sadness, etc., then it may be serving as a numbing or distracting technique. According to Heinz, "If you're not doing it for the pure enjoyment of the activity itself but for its distracting powers," that's a telltale sign you're engaging in emotional novocaine. 

The answer to this question will help you decide whether or not you want to continue engaging. If you realize you're actively trying to distract yourself, then it may be time to truly let yourself feel the emotion at hand rather than continue avoiding it. Over time, Heinz explains, exposing yourself to these difficult emotions can increase your tolerance for challenging emotional states. This, in turn, will lead to better mental fitness overall. 

Truly changing your habits, whether physical or emotional, is no easy task. When it comes to emotional coping mechanisms, the same struggles apply—even more so if you don't even know you're doing them. If you engage in mindless activities to numb yourself from feeling a certain type of way, you may be experiencing emotional novocaine. To break this cycle, try to be mindful of your intention with these activities and, when possible, feel the emotions you were initially trying to avoid. For more information about positive psychology, check out the three most common myths about self-help, straight from Heinz herself.