Mind Loops with Vinnie

The Free Mind Loops App

My oldest grandson, Vinnie, and I had a deep discussion of ideas to help young people who might be struggling with stress, anxieties or similar. We are not suggesting that Mind Loops are a cure (but stranger things have happened) more as gentle guidance to help make shifts within your subconscious mind.

When you repeat an affirmation, you are programming your subconscious mind to believe it. This can lead to changes in your behaviour and emotions, which can help you to achieve your goals.

Each Mind Loop is a focused five-minute track, five affirmations repeated five times.

The voice you will hear is Vinnie.

Earworms

You have probably had a tune, or bit of a tune, stuck in your head before, that little musical earworm that seems to play on repeat. That is the brain's looping system at work.

One day, I began experimenting with turning those loops into something useful. Instead of an advertising jingle or a pop song.

I have always used simple, positive affirmations with my clients such as, "I am making the changes I desire with ease and grace". There would be others depending on their need but after the session some would repeat them back to me. And, often, report to me that they said them or heard them in their self-talk.

I created the ABC Breathing Technique ~ acknowledge, breathe, calm in a similar style. It is on the Gifts page. Tab or here ~ opens in new tab or page.

After using affirmations on repeat for my own needs such as pain management and painsomnia, Mind Loops as a method was born.

Because just like an earworm, once they are used they can repeat on their own, but are no longer annoying.

Mind loops can support habit change. By offering the mind a new loop, one that feels natural and rhythmic, we can gently override old patterns. Or, instil new.

Positive Loops

Mind loops are repeated and simple affirmations.

The effect can be soothing, motivating, inspiring or whatever you desire.

A suggestion that floats into your mind like a song lyric is far more likely to stick than a long lecture.

So, instead of telling yourself, 'I must stop this,' which often creates resistance, you can offer a different, looping phrase like, 'I choose calm,' or 'I am already enough.'

The loop becomes the new earworm as the brain hums your new tune.

What Helps?

So when it comes to habits and cravings, what helps most?

Awareness helps. Knowing the loop is running.

Compassion helps. Understanding that cravings, doubts and worries are part of being human.

New loops help. Mind loops stick in the same way songs do, but usefully.

Habits can become allies when the loop is tuned in your favour.

Practical Experience

Here is an invitation to try a simple experiment with a mind loop.

First, think of a habit or craving you might like to change. Nothing too overwhelming, just something small.

Now, imagine the loop that usually runs. The trigger. The urge. The pull. Just notice it.

And now, offer your mind a new loop. Choose a simple phrase, four or five syllables, something easy to repeat.

For example:

'I am calm.'

'I can pause.'

'Peace inside.'

Make it positive, in the first person and as if it is happening now. Do not use "I will" because that pushes behaviour somewhere into the future. It might never happen. As you think or say your new loops imagine a good feeling. Belief comes with a little practice and repetition.

Whisper it inwardly, like a gentle song. Let it repeat, again and again, until it finds its own rhythm.

Notice how it feels. The more you repeat it, the more natural it becomes. That is the beginning of a positive loop, a mind loop that sticks.

Afformations

There is a variation called afformations, where instead of a statement you ask a question. Rather than 'I am calm,' you ask 'Why am I so calm?' The mind then goes looking for an answer rather than arguing with the statement.

I have kept affirmations for the Mind Loops, for simplicity of use.

If you are in crisis

If you are struggling to keep yourself safe, please tell someone now.

999 if there is danger to life

111, then choose the mental health option

Samaritans 116 123, any time, free

Text SHOUT to 85258, free, any time

Childline 0800 1111, free, if you are under 19

These recordings are for relaxation and encouragement. They are not medical advice, they are not treatment, and they are not a substitute for a doctor or a therapist.