expression, godan verb (-su)
distract one's attention; take one's mind off
Used when someone intentionally shifts their focus away from something, often to avoid dwelling on unpleasant thoughts or to change the subject.
See also: 注意をそらす
嫌なことを考えないように、気持ちをそらすために音楽を聴いた。
I listened to music to distract myself so I wouldn't think about unpleasant things.
彼は気持ちをそらそうと、わざと明るい話題を出した。
He deliberately brought up a cheerful topic to take his mind off things.