Emotional avoidance is a coping mechanism in which a person attempts to avoid or suppress difficult emotions. This can be done through a variety of methods, such as:

• Distraction: Engaging in activities that take your
  mind off of your emotions, such as watching TV, listening to music, or
  using drugs or alcohol.
• Rationalization: Trying to make sense of your emotions and convince yourself that they are not valid or important.
• Suppression: Trying to push your emotions down and not think about them.
• Denial: Refusing to acknowledge that you are feeling any negative emotions.

Emotional avoidance can be helpful in the short-term, as it can provide temporary relief from difficult emotions. However, in the long-term, it can lead to a number of problems.