What’s Your Health Belief?

I firmly believe our health is heavily influenced by our beliefs.  Science now is backing this up with study results which show how repeated thoughts affect our behavior and cell health.  Also studies have shown the power of mantra. When we tell ourselves something over and over it can shift our behavior, habits, and choices.

For example, a friend of mine used to be addicted to ice cream.  To break the addiction, each day she would visualize herself eating ice cream and feeling terrible afterwards.  Over time, this meditation built an aversion to ice cream within her. Likewise, the placebo effect can increase efficacy of treatments and overall health outcomes - a person thinks something will help her and it does just because of the thought. 

What we believe determines what we think is possible, our habits, and our choices. But many of our beliefs are under the surface and we operate not being aware of them. However, if we listen to our thoughts and self talk they will reveal our underlying beliefs.

You will learn rather or not you expect health or illness.  Eavesdropping on yourself will reveal if you are at peace with your body or feel alienated and disconnect from it. What you hear is affecting you on the level of cell health - the essence of wellbeing.

If you discover a belief that is negatively impacting your health, how do you change your beliefs? 

In order to replace or reverse it we first recognize the belief.  Do you expect to be stressed? Do you think your health is delicate? Do you expect to recover quickly when sick?  Do you think you are undeserving of health or feeling great? Do you think you will always feel bloated and uncomfortable? Do you think you are bound to experience a particular disease?

You bring the beliefs to the light. Then, replace the belief with something more aligned to the outcome you want. This process of replacement is gradual, but will work.  For example, for a while I had orthorexia. I thought some foods would instantly make me fat and feel terrible. Each time that came up, birthday cake for example, I would tell myself, “My body knows exactly what to do with this food and can use it up quickly.” Over time, I was able to occasionally partake in certain foods without the expectation that they would instantly derail my health gains.  

Core beliefs I continually reinforce are: I deserve health and energy all day; I eat so my body heals itself; and aging is not inevitable.  

These beliefs I repeat to myself.  This way I expect well being and make choices which support health. It creates habits of choosing food for how they will assist my body in feeling great, When I am sick, rather or not it requires medication, I tell myself that my body is already healing itself.  The positive thoughts, help me to heal faster.  

Using your beliefs for your health is one of the most powerful wellness tools you have.  it is effective, free, and accessible.