CFS and the conscious and subconscious: Living with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is more than just a physical battle — it’s a delicate dance between the conscious and subconscious mind. These two aspects of our mental landscape influence not only our thoughts and emotions but also our body’s ability to heal and recover. When they fall out of balance, it can open the door to setbacks and relapses. Understanding this dynamic offers an opportunity to create deeper awareness and cultivate healing from within.
The conscious mind: the voice of willpower
The conscious mind is what we typically associate with our “thinking” self. It’s the part of the brain responsible for logic, reasoning, decision-making, and willpower. Each day, your conscious mind makes countless decisions, from what to eat for breakfast to whether to push through fatigue and complete daily tasks. It’s the voice that says, “Just one more chore,” or “I can rest after this.”
For those with CFS, the conscious mind often becomes a driving force that overrides the body’s need for rest. Imagine feeling exhausted but mentally pushing yourself to keep going because you “should” or “need to.” While this determination can be admirable, it can also be a double-edged sword. When the conscious mind insists on pushing through despite physical warning signs, it creates a disconnect between mind and body — setting the stage for potential relapses.
The subconscious mind: the keeper of memories
Beneath the surface lies the subconscious mind, quietly influencing our behavior and bodily responses. Unlike the conscious mind, which actively thinks and makes decisions, the subconscious mind governs automatic processes, like breathing and digestion, as well as emotional responses and deeply rooted beliefs.
In the context of CFS, the subconscious mind holds onto past experiences of exhaustion, overwhelm, and even fear of relapsing. It remembers what it felt like to be utterly drained and, in its effort to protect you, it may trigger automatic shutdown responses when it senses familiar stress patterns. This is a survival mechanism — the body’s way of enforcing rest when it believes danger is near.
Imagine this: You wake up feeling slightly fatigued. Your conscious mind says, “I can push through today,” but your subconscious mind quietly recalls past moments when pushing through led to a crash. Without realizing it, this inner conflict creates tension and stress in the body, increasing the likelihood of tipping into another relapse.
How relapses happen: the tug-of-war between minds
Relapses often occur when the conscious mind and subconscious mind are at odds. The conscious mind, driven by logic and societal expectations, wants to push forward and stay productive. Meanwhile, the subconscious mind, sensing danger, tries to pull the brakes and protect you from overexertion.
This internal tug-of-war can lead to chronic stress, which further exhausts an already depleted nervous system. Eventually, the subconscious mind wins out, forcing the body into a state of shutdown to enforce rest. This often manifests as a sudden flare-up of symptoms, leaving you wondering what went wrong.
Creating harmony: awareness is the key
Healing begins with awareness. When you start to understand the roles these two minds play, you can cultivate a sense of balance between them. Instead of letting the conscious mind push through or allowing the subconscious mind to trigger fear-based shutdowns, you can create space for a compassionate dialogue between the two.
- Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to subtle signs of fatigue, tension, or emotional overwhelm. When you feel these signals, pause and check in with yourself. Ask, “What does my body need right now?”
- Reprogram Limiting Beliefs: The subconscious mind responds well to repetition and gentle reinforcement. Create affirmations that support rest and recovery, such as, “Rest is productive,” or “I honour my body’s need for healing.”
- Mindful Movement and Meditation: Practices like gentle exercise, mindful breathing, and meditation can help bridge the gap between the conscious and subconscious mind. These practices create a sense of safety and calm, soothing the nervous system and reducing the likelihood of subconscious shutdowns.
- Visualize Healing: Spend a few moments each day visualizing your body healing. Picture energy flowing freely through your system, and feel a sense of balance between rest and action.
Embracing compassionate healing
Ultimately, healing from CFS isn’t about forcing the body to comply with the conscious mind’s agenda. It’s about creating a compassionate inner environment where both minds work in harmony. When the conscious mind learns to respect the body’s signals and the subconscious mind feels safe enough to relax its protective mechanisms, true healing begins.
You are not at war with your body. Instead, you are learning its language — one of rest, patience, and deep compassion. As you embrace this awareness, you unlock the potential for lasting healing, where both mind and body move together toward balance and well-being.
