Hidden Effects of Subconscious and Unconscious Processes

Glossary & Conceptual Insights

HIDDEN EFFECT OF SUB-CONSCIOUS AND UNCONSCIOUS ACTIVITIES OF MIND AND BODY

Table of Content

1. UNDERSTANDING THE MIND-BODY CONNECTION

Embracing Emotional Awareness for Wellbeing

Moods colour our everyday experiences – sometimes making life feel lighter and brighter, other times casting a shadow over how we see ourselves and others. While everyone’s mood shifts now and then, understanding what moods are, why they change, and how to navigate them is an important step towards greater self-awareness and wellbeing.

What Are Moods and Mood Swings?

A mood is a prevailing emotional state that lingers for minutes, hours, or even days. Unlike fleeting feelings, moods tend to be more subtle and less tied to specific events. Mood swings, on the other hand, are noticeable shifts from one emotional state to another – sometimes sudden, sometimes gradual. These shifts can range from feeling upbeat to feeling flat or irritable, and they’re a normal part of being human.

How, Why, and When Do Moods Change?

Moods are shaped by a mix of biological, psychological, and situational influences. Changes in brain chemistry – like fluctuations in serotonin or dopamine – can alter mood, as can hormones and physical health. Psychologically, our thoughts, beliefs, and past experiences play a part, while external factors, such as stress, lack of sleep, or interactions with others, can trigger mood swings. Even something as simple as a rainy arvo or a good time with a mate can tip your mood one way or the other.

Detecting and Understanding Moods

Recognising your mood is the first step towards managing it. Signs can include changes in energy, motivation, sleep, appetite, and how you relate to people. Self-awareness practices like journaling or simply checking in with yourself during the day can help. Here are a few common moods you might notice:

Happiness: Feeling light, hopeful, and sociable.
Sadness: Experiencing heaviness, withdrawal, or tearfulness.
Irritability: Easily annoyed, snappy, or restless.
Calm: Relaxed, content, and open to others.
Anxiety: Worried, tense, or on edge.
Excitement: Energised, enthusiastic, and eager.
Apathy: Lacking motivation, disconnected, or indifferent.

The Mind-Brain-Body Connection

Moods arise from the interplay between our mind, brain, and body. Thoughts and beliefs can trigger physical responses – like increased heart rate or muscle tension during anxiety. Likewise, physical states (such as tiredness or hunger) can influence mood. The brain acts as the control centre, processing signals from the body and environment, while the mind interprets these signals and shapes our emotional experience. This connection explains why a brisk walk, deep breathing, or a good feed can sometimes help lift a low mood.

Which Moods Serve Us Best?

Some moods are more useful than others, depending on the situation. Adaptive moods – like calmness, contentment, and excitement – tend to support wellbeing, help us connect with others, and encourage positive choices. Unhelpful moods – such as persistent irritability, anxiety, or apathy – can cloud judgement, strain relationships, and dampen motivation. It's important to remember that all moods have a purpose; even sadness or frustration can signal a need for change or reflection. The key is to notice when a mood is hanging around too long or getting in the way of what matters most.

Effects on Thoughts and Feelings

Moods shape how we perceive situations, make decisions, and interact with others. A positive mood can make challenges seem more manageable, while a low mood might make the same challenge feel overwhelming. Our thoughts often reflect our emotional state – when happy, we’re likely to see the good; when anxious, we may expect the worst. Being aware of this connection helps us pause and question whether our thinking is being led by our mood.

What to Do (and Not Do) in Different Moods

In a good mood: Enjoy it, but stay grounded – don’t rush decisions or overcommit.
In a low mood: Try gentle movement, connect with someone you trust, and avoid isolating yourself or making major choices.
When irritable or anxious: Pause before reacting, practise deep breathing, and steer clear of arguments or important discussions until you feel calmer.
Feeling apathetic: Break tasks into small steps, get outside, or try something new to shift your energy.

Across all moods, self-compassion and patience are essential. It’s okay to feel whatever you’re feeling, and you don’t have to fix it straight away. Sometimes, simply acknowledging your mood – empowered by self-compassion – is enough to begin shifting it.

Conclusion: Embracing Mood Awareness for Personal Growth

Understanding moods and mood swings is a powerful step on the path to self-improvement. By tuning into how you feel, noticing patterns, and making conscious choices, you can harness the mind-body connection for greater wellbeing. The journey isn’t about eliminating difficult moods – it’s about learning to work with them, so you can live with more freedom, balance, and purpose.

2. UNDERSTANDING BODILY SENSATIONS AND OVERSTIMULATION OF MIND AND BODY

How Bodily Changes Influence Mood, Mind and Awareness

What is Overstimulation?

Overstimulation occurs when our bodies and minds are inundated with sensory input or internal signals, often leaving us feeling overwhelmed, unsettled, or on edge. This state can arise after the body’s fight or flight response kicks in – such as during a stressful encounter at work or a heated argument. It can also stem from hormonal fluctuations, like those experienced during puberty or throughout the monthly cycle. These physical changes trigger a cascade of sensations – racing heartbeat, rapid breathing, tense muscles – that have a ripple effect on our mental and emotional state.

Scenarios of Overstimulation

After a Stressful Event:

Imagine you narrowly avoid a car accident. Your body floods with adrenaline, your mind races with ‘what ifs’, and you feel unable to sit still. This heightened state lingers, making it difficult to concentrate on tasks or even relax.

Hormonal Changes:

During puberty, teens often experience unpredictable swings. Similarly, many adults notice emotional surges around their monthly cycle – one moment feeling elated, the next irritable or down. These shifts are not just ; they’re also physical, with symptoms like headaches, fatigue, or restlessness.

Chronic Stress:

Long-term pressures – be it from work, study, or relationships – can build up, causing prolonged overstimulation. The mind becomes busy, thoughts speed up, and it’s easy to get stuck ruminating about problems, making sleep and relaxation elusive.

Environmental Sensory Overload:

Overstimulation isn’t just triggered by internal stress or hormone changes – it can also arise from overwhelming external environments. For example, being in a busy shopping centre, at a carnival, or in a noisy workplace can flood the senses with bright lights, loud sounds, and bustling crowds. This is particularly challenging for people who are sensitive to light, noise, or being surrounded by too many people – or even a combination of these. The sheer volume of sensory input can make it difficult to concentrate, , or feel comfortable, sometimes leading to feelings of panic, irritability, or exhaustion.

The Mind-Body Connection

When our bodies are highly stimulated, there’s a direct impact on the brain and our mental state. The number of thoughts we experience tends to spike, often cycling through worries, plans, or regrets. Emotional intensity rises – sometimes in the form of happiness and excitement, other times as sadness, anger, or anxiety. This mental busyness can lead to rumination, where we repeatedly think about the same issues without resolution.

These cycles aren’t just draining – they reduce our ability to be present and aware. The mind shifts from a conscious, mindful state to a reactive mode, responding automatically to sensations and emotions rather than observing or understanding them. It’s as if the internal noise drowns out our ability to notice what’s really going on, both inside and out.

Long-term Mental Health Effects: If overstimulation becomes a chronic experience, it can contribute to ongoing anxiety, persistent low mood, or even depression. The mind’s constant busyness and inability to switch off may also increase the risk of burnout and make it harder to manage stress over time.
Long-term Physical Health Effects: Prolonged periods of heightened stimulation can strain the body’s systems, potentially leading to issues like high blood pressure, fatigue, headaches, and sleep disturbances. Over time, this ongoing stress response may weaken the immune system and contribute to other health concerns.

Why Awareness Drops

There’s an inverse relationship between bodily sensations and self-awareness. When physical sensations are heightened – be it from stress hormones, pain, or fatigue – our capacity for mindfulness and reflection drops. We become less able to pause, notice our thoughts, and choose our responses. Instead, we may find ourselves snapping at others, making impulsive decisions, or withdrawing from situations.

However, as these sensations settle – perhaps after some gentle movement, deep breathing, or simply time – the mind regains its clarity. Awareness returns. We can observe our thoughts, recognise our feelings, and make conscious choices again. This cycle is natural, and learning to recognise it is the first step to managing its effects.

Strategies for Regaining Awareness

Gentle Movement: Going for a walk or stretching can help discharge excess energy and calm bodily sensations.
Deep Breathing: Practising slow, mindful breaths helps lower stress hormones and brings attention back to the present.
Connecting with Others: Talking with a trusted friend about what you’re experiencing can interrupt rumination and restore perspective.
Small Steps: Breaking tasks into manageable pieces can reduce overwhelm and provide a sense of progress.

Conclusion: Embracing the Cycle

Overstimulation is a normal response to certain bodily and life changes. By understanding how bodily sensations affect our moods and mental state, we can learn to ride out the waves with more self-compassion and patience. When awareness drops, it’s not a failure – it’s a signal to pause, care for ourselves, and wait for clarity to return. In this way, we transform reactivity into mindful growth and freedom.

3. UNDERSTANDING SUBJECTIVITY: NAVIGATING THE INNER WORLD

Although emotions play a central and practical role in our lives, they remain one of the most misunderstood aspects of human experience.

The easiest way to understand is to see emotions as more than fleeting thoughts or ideas – they are deeply embodied experiences that begin as sensations within the body. Whether it’s the tightening of your chest, butterflies in your stomach, or an unshakable sense of warmth, emotions announce their presence through physical signals first. The mind then steps in to interpret, name, and make sense of these bodily cues, shaping our conscious awareness of what we’re feeling. In this way, emotions are a synergy between body and mind: the body feels, the mind understands.

Traditional Classification: Positive and Negative Emotions

Conventionally, emotions are grouped into “positive” and “negative” categories. Positive emotions – such as happiness, joy, excitement, love, and gratitude – are those that generally feel pleasant and uplifting. Negative emotions – such as anger, sadness, fear, jealousy, and frustration – are typically seen as unpleasant or challenging. This classification often shapes how we relate to our inner world, with a tendency to seek out positive emotions and avoid or suppress negative ones.

The Role of Context and Emotional Intelligence

However, this simplistic division doesn’t capture the richness or purpose of our emotional lives. Emotional intelligence (EQ) reminds us that emotions themselves are not inherently good or bad; instead, their impact depends on how they are understood and channeled. The context in which an emotion arises is crucial. For example, anger might be seen as “negative,” but when it arises from witnessing injustice, it can become a powerful force for positive change – fueling activism, courage, and transformation. Likewise, fear can sharpen our focus and keep us safe in dangerous situations. It’s how we respond to and direct these feelings that matters most.

Empowering versus Unempowering Emotions

It may be more constructive to think in terms of “empowering” and “unempowering” emotions. Empowering emotions are those that move us closer to our goals, align with our values, and support our wellbeing, motivation, and growth. Even challenging emotions can empower us when harnessed wisely.

Conversely, unempowering emotions are those that keep us stuck, sap our energy, or steer us away from our purpose – especially if left unexamined or unmanaged.

Empowering emotions: Can include joy, gratitude, love, curiosity, determination, and even stress (when it drives positive action).
Unempowering emotions: Might include helplessness, chronic resentment, shame, or fear (when it paralyzes rather than protects).

Purpose, Direction, and the Power of Awareness

Ultimately, every emotion has the potential to serve and inform us – if we are willing to pause, notice what’s happening in our body, and interpret these sensations with self-awareness. The real power lies in choosing how to channel emotional energy. Does your feeling move you toward what matters, or pull you away? Does it offer insight, motivation, or clarity – or does it keep you looping in old patterns?

In Practice

By developing your emotional intelligence, you learn to see all emotions as messengers offering valuable information. With practice, you can respond thoughtfully and purposefully rather than react automatically. This means embracing the full spectrum of your feelings, honouring the wisdom of your body, and using your mind to interpret and guide your actions in alignment with your deepest values and aspirations.

4. BIASNESS: THE HIDDEN INFLUENCER IN HUMAN INTELLIGENCE

Understanding How Bias Impacts the Way We Think

Bias is an inescapable part of how humans make sense of the world. Our brains are wired to take shortcuts – using prior knowledge, stereotypes, and assumptions to interpret new information quickly. While this can help us make rapid decisions, it also means our thinking is rarely as objective as we might hope. For instance, we might unconsciously favour information that supports our existing beliefs, or overlook details that challenge our world view. These mental shortcuts, or “cognitive biases,” can shape our perceptions, influence our problem-solving, and even affect how we learn from experience.

Ways to Address the Downsides of Biasness

Cultivate Awareness: The first step is recognising that bias exists in everyone, including ourselves. Notice moments when your snap judgments or assumptions arise, and question where they come from.

Challenge Your Thinking: Deliberately seek out viewpoints and information that differ from your own. This helps stretch your thinking and expose blind spots.

Slow Down Decisions: When possible, give yourself time to process before reacting. Slowing down allows for more thoughtful reflection and reduces the risk of acting on bias.

Embrace Lifelong Learning: Stay curious and open to updating your knowledge. Admitting when you’re wrong or when new evidence emerges is a strength, not a weakness.

Conclusion: Harnessing Human Intelligence by Owning Our Bias

Biasness doesn’t make us less intelligent – it’s a natural feature of human cognition. By becoming aware of our biases and actively working to counteract them, we can make better decisions, understand others more deeply, and keep growing as individuals. In doing so, we transform bias from a hidden influencer into a tool for greater self-awareness and more thoughtful engagement with the world.