Can we intentionally program our subconscious mind to support our mental wellbeing? (In the language of last Monday’s blog, can we program the Autopilot?) Most assuredly!

One of my favourite ways to set us up for a good day is to use ‘priming’. Priming takes advantage of the way the brain operates by association. It seems we have clusters of related concepts in the brain and hence mind. One concept automatically and subconsciously links to another without conscious effort.  Thus, if you read the word ‘yellow’ or see the colour yellow, you and I would then be primed to be in yellow-mode. Now if we are asked, “Think of a fruit,” the dominant response, statistically, would be a banana.

Similarly, if we’ve just seen the letter ‘E’ in a grey room, and are asked, “Think of an animal,” we’re likely to think of an elephant.

Using priming, we can direct our subconscious mind towards what we’d prefer. For example, our morning ritual sets the mood for the day. We all know that certain aspects can help. It may be that you have a favourite beverage and routine – walking the dog, having a shower, using a favourite soap, being unrushed.  We can fall into a positive routine without planning this, but this week we could become more intentional and actively choose to add some priming elements.

What would get your day off to an even better start? Do you have a colour that energises you? What about a playlist that would prime the pump? Maybe you have a preferred Breakfast Show on Radio or TV… Do you have an affirmation that excites you? Let’s consciously add elements and ingredients so that we may set a prime directive.

And, as usual, I’m massively curious to learn what primes you for a good day – do feel free to share!

Lex

A Moodscope member