How Your Beliefs Affect Your Health
Health problems are usually explained by such factors as genetic heritage, stress, bad habits (smoking, drinking), lifestyle (nutrition, amount of exercise and sleep) and environmental factors (smog, pesticides, air or water pollution). However, there is another very important, but often overlooked factor that can noticeably impact our well-being. It is our belief system.
Our beliefs and expectations are very powerful. They not only guide our life choices and direct our actions, but they also serve as a filter through which we define ourselves and our reality. Our beliefs can either improve our health or damage it.
Have you ever heard of a Placebo Effect? It describes how a substance with no medical properties causes a patient to improve, just because they believe in its efficacy. Numerous clinical trials have demonstrated that a little bit of sugar can eliminate skin problems, reduce pain, noticeably improve physical performance, recover from mental trauma, and even cure cancer! The same “sugar pill” can make a person feel sick, cause anxiety and anger, make them feel drunk, cause a headache or a stomach ache, and even lead to such serious consequences as death.
Scientific research suggests that the Placebo Effect accounts for about 40% of all health improvements! It means that in 40 percent of cases our health improves ONLY because of our strong belief that the treatment will benefit us and not because of the qualities of an actual pill or therapeutic procedure or surgery.
For example, if you were told by your doctor and other medical authorities that reading this article will make you feel better, and be more energized and optimistic, there is a high chance that you will really notice positive health changes. Amazing, isn’t it?
What you believe about yourself and your well-being is immediately translated into a physiological response and affects the function of your body. The bottom line is, if you trick your mind into thinking that you are sick, you will actually become sick and vice versa. If you convince yourself that you are feeling better, your health will improve.
The most common destructive beliefs that have a negative impact on our health are:
- Exaggeration of the real situation. (“I can’t handle it!”, “It is just intolerable!”, “The idea of doing it makes me sick!”)
- Focusing on how unfair life is (“Why is it happening to me?!”, “It’s not fair!”, “It’s probably a punishment for…!”)
- Blaming everyone and everything (“I hate my job! How can I quit smoking, when I feel stressed all the time?”).
- Underestimating your own abilities (“I can’t do it!”, “I feel so helpless…”, “Why even trying…?”)
- Putting oneself down (“I’m worthless.”, “I don’t deserve to be healthy or happy”, “How can anyone care about me?”)
- Using your bad health to get some sympathy or as a manipulation tool (“You will give me a heart attack…”, “Why are you doing this, when you know I can’t worry/have a high blood pressure…”)
Our beliefs are also greatly influenced by the information that we receive from outside sources. Everyday we are exposed to ill-health messages. We are bombarded with news about different incurable diseases, traumas, and food poisonings. We watch TV programs and shows about accidents, viruses, hospitals and doctors. We read articles about particular diseases in the newspapers and magazines. Our friends, family members, co-workers and even people that we see for the first time give their opinions, suggestions and negative beliefs about ill-health.
If you are still skeptical about the influence of negative messages from outside sources on our health, try reading the symptoms of any common health problem, like depression or anxiety disorders. Chances are that you will find that you are experiencing half of the symptoms even though you can be the most optimistic and upbeat person on the Planet. The explanation is simple – most of us occasionally feel down, tired, and irritated. We can experience lack of appetite or have difficulty falling asleep. Does it mean that we all are suffering from severe depression or anxiety disorders? Of course not! But if we convince ourselves that we are, it will immediately affect our mood and well-being.
Each individual negative message by itself can do very little harm, but the endless stream of messages makes them hard to ignore. It also keeps our mind constantly focused on health problems and possible hazards. If you want to stay healthy and feel well:
- Become aware of the messages that you are sending to your subconscious mind.
- Use positive affirmations to improve your health.
- Reinforce your positive beliefs with health-enhancing actions (sign up for the gym, start making healthy food choices, incorporate relaxation and meditation into your routine, get more sleep).
- Limit your exposure to negative messages that you receive from outside sources.
- Develop a critical attitude towards ill-health that you hear on TV or from other people. For example, if your friend tells you that there is a new virulent form of common cold affecting the whole city, it does not necessarily mean that you will get sick too.
And remember, you have the ability to choose your own beliefs, attitudes and actions. If you want to take control of your life, you should not let others chose your beliefs for you!
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