We live in an era where We are constantly bombarded with information and subliminal messages., from social media to television and beyond; That is why it is crucial to understand the impact that all this has on our psyche and how it impacts mentality.
Our brain, that biological supercomputer, not only processes what we consciously experience, but also absorbs, captures and fixes messages at a subconscious level.
The subconscious mind is the space below the conscious mind, which is the execution of actions, thoughts and ideas. In the subconscious, feelings, emotions, habits that we let into our lives and everything that we later repeat in the way of being and acting are molded.
If we are not aware of the messages that reach us, how can we shape a healthy and effective mental model that invites us to move forward in life, instead of retreating into toxic behaviors or anchors? Here we will delve deeper into this topic, including several strategies to navigate this sea of stimuli.
Science has offered us irrefutable data about how our environment shapes our minds and, therefore, our lives. Studies in psychology and neuroscience highlight different ways in which we are influenced unconsciously, whether we like it or not, and if you do not have the proper discernment, it may be that some of those ways of thinking have been forged and you have normalized them, even if they are not good for you.
Let’s review some examples of how the environment works and shapes perceptions and reactions:
Visual violence and aggression
A study conducted by the University of Michigan showed that students who watched a movie with violent content were more likely to act aggressively compared to those who watched a nonviolent movie.
The reason is that violent behavior that is repeatedly observed leaves the mind and brain stressors in a situation of maximum arousal and vulnerability to act in the same way. Without this meaning that you are going to do it, if the environment has been violent in your life, the pattern that you know tends to repeat itself.
Body images and self-esteem
In another psychological study from Harvard University, it was concluded that adolescent girls exposed to images of thin models were more likely to develop a negative body image, contributing to problems such as low self-esteem and eating disorders.
During the Covid pandemic, with the rise of connectivity on social networks and freedom restricted for a few months, many people began to feel uncomfortable with their bodies, including an increase in psychological consultations and even fatal suicide outcomes.
A well-known digital marketing expert confessed to me in a talk for my podcast that she began to feel fat and unattractive during the pandemic as a result of everything she consumed in her specialty, the networks; In this case, she decided to share her vulnerability on Instagram, and process her to look better and recover with the help of therapy.
Music formats your brain and moods
Just as soft, calm music calms you, loud music can put you in a mentally and emotionally disturbed state very quickly.
A study from the University of California at Berkeley found that music has the ability to alter emotional state. It was proven that happy music can improve our mood, while sad music can do the opposite.
In the same way, if you listen to songs with impoverished language, your mentality will be shaped in that sense, for example, certain types of songs with obvious or subliminal aggressiveness, or with human prototypes that denigrate a certain gender or social groups, such as controversial ones. songs about violence towards women, or about unfaithful and traitorous men. And we know that this is not always the case, although this is portrayed very often.
Although apparently they are simple stories, the overabundance of consumption of this type of lyrics will make you begin to mentally normalize them, and from there you will speak in a certain way, use new terms in interpersonal relationships and limit your ability to think positively.
Subliminal messages: what is below the threshold of consciousness
The entire construction of marketing, which includes messages on social networks, songs and any product that reaches people, has subliminal messages.
This is the name given to signals or messages designed to go under the radar of our perceptive consciousness and enter directly into the subconscious.
There are several studies on this. For example, one from the University of California, Los Angeles, which shows that even when we are not aware of these messages, they can have a significant impact on our decisions and behavior. This particular study found that subliminal food ads could cause people to choose less healthy food options.
5 strategies to protect yourself and make mint eco-friendlyl
You are not responsible for the messages that reach you: you are responsible for what you let enter and remain in your mind. Because, no matter how innocent they may seem to you, they have a subliminal impact that is then reflected in a certain bias or way of thinking, acting and speaking.
If you want to do what I call “mental ecology”, here are five ideas that can help you:
1. Be aware of the environment and stimuli
Being aware of your environment and the stimuli to which you are exposed will allow you to more quickly realize those things that do not favor you, so you will be able to better control or manage their influence on your mind.
2. Choose positive content
Prioritize content that uplifts you, inspires you, and motivates you. You can filter the topics, unfollow accounts that you consider inappropriate for your mentality on social networks, and increase the share of those that build with uplifting messages.
3. Limit exposure to negative stimuli
Just as you can choose to stop spending time with toxic people, be aware that if something makes you feel bad, resonates in a bad way or you feel obliged to do something contrary to your values - even if it is a fragment of a lyric from a song – it’s probably not something you want to expose yourself to on a regular basis.
4. Know the power of the subconscious mind
The subconscious mental space needs care on your part because it is there where emotions and feelings are managed. If you surround yourself with a more positive environment, you will be contributing to increasing your well-being.
The subconscious mind does not discriminate between what is good or bad for you: simply, where you focus your attention, it gives you more of that. That is your great responsibility if you want to refine the results of your life.
5. Take care of your mentality and thoughts
Meditation, silence, constructive reading, watching stimulating films, yoga and mindfulness will allow you to develop full attention, to help you filter external stimuli that are not contributory, and focus on your internal well-being.
Brian Tracy, well-known personal development and mindset writer and speaker, says: “Your thoughts create your reality. What you think, what you say and what you do create your life. If you want to change your life, change your thoughts.” With observation and dedication, you can achieve it.
Daniel Colombo Facilitator and Master Executive Coach specialized in senior management, professionals and teams; mentor and professional communicator; international speaker; author of 31 books. LinkedIn Top Voice Latin America. ICF certified; Certified Coach and Member of John Maxwell Team.