The initial response to negative emotions is to suppress them. After all, society tells us that this is what we must do to remain happy — ignore any negative thoughts and focus only on the sunshine, rainbows, and butterflies of life.

RAIN is a process that was developed by Michelle McDonald as part of the mindfulness movement, which is characterized by an emphasis on maintaining awareness of your surroundings and the thoughts and feelings that accompany them without judgement. This means no reliving the past, and no preparing for the future.