How to Control Your Subconscious Mind

Co-authored by Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA

Last Updated: September 16, 2023 Fact Checked

While the conscious mind is remarkable, the subconscious mind is even more awe-inspiring! As your conscious mind processes one choice or action, your subconscious mind simultaneously processes unconscious choices and actions. Once activated, subconscious goals, choices, and actions persist until met. Research indicates that it is not possible to prime your unconscious. However, there are activities and exercises that may allow you to access and or expand your awareness of your subconscious.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Practicing Positivity

Download Article

1
Practice positive self talk. Replace your negative self talk with affirmations. Shifting your language will alter your mindset and override negative subconscious actions and thoughts.^{[1]
X
Expert Source

Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA
Life Coach

Expert Interview. 18 March 2020.} Replace “I can’t do this!” with “I can do this!” Instead of saying “I fail at everything!” exclaim “I will succeed!” If you catch yourself slipping back into negative self-talk, pause and take a deep breath. Consider why you are telling yourself you won’t succeed. Identify the factors that caused you to become negative. Note that these factors are triggers and recommit to affirming yourself.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- This shift in your language won’t happen overnight. It takes time and consistency. Remain positive as you work toward ridding yourself of negative subconscious expectations and behaviors.
2
Craft a positive mantra. When anxiety or stress arises, calm your nerves and quell negative thoughts by repeating a personally crafted mantra. Consistent use of the mantra will subdue negative thoughts and actions that arise from your subconscious mind. Identify your negative thoughts and accept that your self-judgement is unfounded. Create a healing mantra by identifying the opposite of your self-judgemental claim. Craft two additional mantras that express the same idea; use them interchangeably. Select a spot in your body to ground the positivity. The spot could be your heart or your stomach. Place your hand on the spot as you repeat the mantra. Focus on the action and swell with confidence.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- If you feel that you are never good enough, your mantras would be “I am good enough,” “I am worthy,” and “I am worth it.”
Advertisement
3
Practice visualization. Visualizing, or mentally rehearsing, the achievement of your goals is a wonderful way to engage with and train your subconscious mind. Start with visualization exercises that only require you to utilize one to two of your senses. Try to visualize every detail of a photograph or a familiar object. As you master this, work towards visualizing entire scenes of movies or memories. Note the sounds, smells, colors, textures, and tastes. When you acquire the ability to focus and accurately depict details, begin visualizing yourself achieving your goals. It is essential that you visualize yourself as realistic as possible. Don’t dwell on the negatives or envision yourself failing but visualize yourself succeeding and achieving your goal! For example, if you are visualizing yourself giving a speech, picture yourself recovering from a stutter or a skipped sentence instead of moving the crowd to their feet.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Visualize specific goals. Be specific about what it is that you want to achieve. Identify the location, time, and circumstances surrounding your success. Go into as much detail as possible!
- Don’t envision yourself as superhuman; instead imagine yourself as you really are.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Practicing Mindful Meditation

Download Article

Meditation will help you focus and harness your subconscious mind. Before meditating, determine the length of your session. If you are a beginner, try to meditate for 5 minutes. Change into comfortable clothes. Grab a timer and proceed to a quiet, peaceful environment. Choose a location without clutter or distractions. Sit outside, on the floor your apartment, or on your back porch. Stretch before assuming a comfortable seated position. Touch your toes, release the tension from your neck, and relax your shoulders.^{[5]
X
Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
Find a stable seat. Sit in a straight backed chair with your feet planted firmly on the ground or cross-legged on top of a pillow on the floor. Straighten your back—your spine’s natural curve should be present. Position your upper arms parallel to the sides of your body. Your elbows will have a slight bend and your hands will naturally fall gently atop your knees. Lower your chin slightly and gaze at the floor. Settle into the position, become aware of your body, before you proceed.^{[6]
X
Research source}
Close your eyes and begin to follow your breath. Focus on your inhale and your exhale. As you relax, your mind will wander. Thoughts will flow from your subconscious mind to your conscious mind. Note these thoughts, but don’t judge them. Allow these thoughts to pass. When you realize your mind has wandered, return your attention to your breathing. In time, your mind will wander again. Always continue to come back to your breath. Repeat this process until your session is complete.^{[7]
X
Research source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Practicing Stream of Consciousness Writing

Download Article

Gather a pencil or pen and a pad of paper. Find a timer—an egg timer, stop watch, or your phone will work—a set it for 5 or 10 minutes Settle into a quiet, distraction-free environment. Set your phone to silent. Avoid using a computer or tablet—they provide you with too many distractions!^{[8]
X
Research source}
Sit in a comfortable position and take a deep breath to center yourself. Start the timer and begin writing. Never approach stream of consciousness writing with an agenda but allow your thoughts to flow naturally from one to another. As the thoughts enter your head, record them on paper. Don’t avoid writing down the mundane thoughts or ignore the odd thoughts—these may have arisen from your subconscious mind.^{[9]
X
Expert Source

Michelle Shahbazyan, MS, MA
Life Coach

Expert Interview. 18 March 2020.} Don’t judge the thoughts or stop to analyze them. Just write. Continue recording your thoughts until the timer buzzes.^{[10]
X
Research source}
When the session is complete, read over your thoughts. Reflect upon your words. Identify recurring thoughts or odd phrases. Try to find a link between two disparate ideas. Make note of any potential subconscious thoughts. As you continue to execute this exercise, read over your work from previous sessions. Trace your progress with stream of consciousness writing and assess if your unconscious mind has revealed itself.^{[11]
X
Research source}

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Practicing Dream Analysis

Download Article

1
Record your dreams. Before falling asleep, place a pen or pencil and a journal next to your bed. When you wake up in the morning, or periodically throughout the night, record your dreams in your journal. Write down every detail of your dreams you can recall. Jot down the minor details, no matter how mundane or insignificant they may appear. If you have been recording your dreams for a while, make note of any recurring concepts, characters, or objects.
- Your subconscious mind is revealed in your dreams. Therefore, recording and studying your dreams provides you with access to your unconscious mind.^{[12]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  American Psychological Association
  Leading scientific and professional organization of licensed psychologists
  
  Go to source}
2
Decide if your dream was significant and categorize it. An insignificant dream incorporates aspects of your physical surroundings—you may incorporate smells, sounds, and physical actions occurring around you into your dream; a significant dream is derived from your subconscious mind—it is not a common dream but an odd, puzzling, or illuminating dream. If your dream was significant, determine which category of subconscious dreams it falls under. Was it a precognitive dream that revealed details about future events? Was the dream a warning? Was it factual—did it confirm what you already knew? Did the dream inspire you or fulfill one of your desires? Did your dream fulfill your wish or need to reconcile with someone or something?^{[13]
X
Research source}
- Vivid dreams are often more significant.
You do not have to be an expert to analyze your own dreams! All it requires is a little effort and research. There are handy resources online and at your local library! When analyzing your dream, assess it as a whole. Each detail you recall has significance and will enhance your interpretation of your dream, as well as your understanding of your subconscious mind. If the dream dictionary’s definition of a symbol is inadequate, try assessing the dream within the context of your own life. Try to determine for yourself if there is a reason this image, person, or thing is appearing in your dreams.^{[14]
X
Research source}