How Our Mindset Can Radically Shift Our Perception of Health
Throughout my life, I have noticed how impactful my mindset is in the outcomes I receive. For example, during my senior year of high school, I was a four-year varsity defensive soccer player who had never scored a goal. We were playing a team at home that we were on the verge of mercy-ing, and my coach put me at forward to score a goal! My family was there, my friends were there, EVERYONE WAS THERE! All cheering me on because they knew how much I wanted to have at least one goal in my stats. There I was, racing up to the goal, I was in the 18, then the goal area, and my teammate passed a beautiful assist right to me. I probably didn’t even need to touch it for it to go in. Right on the goal line, winding up to kick, at the height of my giddiness, a thought crossed my mind, “…but what if I miss.” No sooner did I have that thought than I kicked the ball as hard as I could, imagining that cool shot of the ball basically coming out of the back side of the net. To my horror, the ball spanned the vertical plane of the goal and went over the top. The crowd was ramping up a cheer that ended in an “uggghhhh!” I. was. mortified. As they say, where your mind goes, your energy flows. I have no doubt that split second of negative thinking caused me to miss my shot and never have a goal attached to my high school soccer career. Thankfully, I am over it 20 years later—well, sort of—but it taught me an important lesson I share with my patients: the power of positive thinking.
In healthcare, we often find ourselves immersed in negative thinking—“What if you get this disease?”, “I am never going to get pregnant.”, “My parents has xyz disease so I will have this disease too.”, “I can’t lose weight.” Such thoughts anchor us in a state of apprehension and reactivity. Instead, imagine if we redirected our focus to more empowering thoughts: “How can I support my health?”, “I am excited and open to the possibilities of pregnancy.”, “I live life differently than my parents and I will have a different outcome.”, “I love my body and want to provide it the care it deserves.”
The difference between these two approaches is monumental, influencing not only our mindset but our overall health outcomes. Wayne Dyer echoed this sentiment, stating, “Anything you are AGAINST disempowers you, anything you are FOR empowers you.” This philosophy can radically shift our perception of health.
The Role of Mindset in Health
These mindset shifts are tough, don’t get me wrong! I know it is a daily effort to rewire your thought patterns. Erin Holt insightfully notes in her podcast, “In order to change, you have to seek out evidence that change is possible.” Our minds operate as evidence-seeking machines, perpetually striving to validate our beliefs. Therefore, to transform our reality—both in life and in health—we must actively pursue evidence that aligns with our desired changes.
One effective way to achieve this is by seeking out “expanders.” An expander is someone or something that demonstrates to our subconscious mind that what we aspire to achieve is indeed possible. Holt shares her personal journey with autoimmunity, where she became captivated by stories of spontaneous remission. Witnessing others heal from what was deemed incurable opened her mind to the possibility of her own recovery. By showing her mind that healing was achievable, she paved the way for her own potential remission.
This process exemplifies Self-Directed Neuroplasticity, the concept that we can reshape our brain’s neural pathways through intentional thought and action. This requires active participation—choosing to focus on what we want to see and seeking out evidence to support it. If we neglect to harness this power, external influences will undoubtedly shape our brain for us.
Applying Positive Focus in Healthcare
In practical terms, shifting from a fear-based approach to one of positive focus in healthcare means:
1. Reframing Questions: Instead of asking, “How do we treat this illness?” we can ask, “How do we promote health and prevent illness?”
2. Seeking Positive Examples: Look for stories of recovery, health, and vitality. These narratives serve as expanders, proving that optimal health is attainable.
3. Cultivating a Health-Focused Environment: Surround ourselves with influences—people, literature, practices—that reinforce a positive health mindset.
By standing for the health and world we want to see, and allowing our actions to reflect this stance, we can empower ourselves and those around us. We can choose to stand for health rather than against illness. This shift in perspective is not merely semantic; it’s a profound transformation that can lead to a healthier, more empowered life.