Lost Your Health Mojo?
How to find the motivation to overcome blocks to healing in conditions like Cancer, Chronic Fatigue, Lyme disease and other health challenges.
As you do not ‘catch’ these conditions, identifying and modifying the contributing factors leading to the suppression of your immune system allowing their development is the key to recovery. This is done by working consciously with and supporting your body in re-establishing its innate ability to self-regulate and heal and maintain health long term.
Providing the support to empower you on this journey is the primary goal of treatment at Core Naturopathics. However each individual must gain a fundamental understanding of their situation and over time develop the self-realization that leads to change. In this way, not only is the situation changed but also the thoughts and beliefs that contributed to the development of the health challenge in the first instance.
Change drives evolution (the only certainty in life is change) and on a personal level beginning to pursue, understand and remove resistance to change is the first step towards health, understanding and balance (at an individual level and more broadly society wide).
Each of us becomes ‘stuck in our ways’ at some point in our lives and need to get a fresh viewpoint and some encouragement on how to live life more constructively. That’s why we invite problems, challenges and conflict. It motivates us to leave the safe space of the status quo and move into a new reality.
Constant exposure to stressful situations will have chronic effects on your health even if symptoms are not currently present. The stress can come from extreme beliefs that are expressed in the form of unrealistic expectations, fantasies, opposing viewpoints, non-acceptance, self-depreciation, overbearing, proving a point, anger, resentment, jealousy, frustration and many more. These beliefs create a ‘block’ to change until the pressure builds up and they ‘crack’ like an earthquake. Are you currently experiencing tremors or are you right off the Richter scale I wonder?
The conditions that are associated with the most damage are found when you are working against your core beliefs (for example a vegetarian working in butchery, or a boss/spouse forcing you to do things against your ideals). These conditions undermine your sense of ‘self’ and through that have the most detrimental health effects. Other areas to explore include opposition to your life purpose, finances, social status and career.
A simple way to empower yourself is to follow your passion! Whatever you love doing, do it wholeheartedly with total engagement and to the maximum of your ability. Develop and set clear goals and then stick to it! ‘I do what I love and love what I do’. This should become your daily mantra.
Easier said than done you say? Yes, it is well known that few can be motivated to do the things they might “have to” or “should do” if they have no passion for the subject. It’s a very common theme and a problem we often encounter as practitioners.
This is where ‘linking’ becomes a very helpful tool to help motivate you to make the necessary changes. It’s based on understanding what makes a person tick.
We all have different values based on our past experiences and beliefs. These values determine how we spend our time, money and energy.
We devote a lot of time and energy into ‘high value’ areas of our lives. We also commonly don’t mind spending money for things that support these high values.
For example, if relationships and education are high on your values list you will have no hesitation in doing your utmost to finance a good education for your kids and buy them what they need. You are also happy to provide full support for your wife/husband so they can excel in their passion.
If your values are high in health you will eat the best food, drink the cleanest water, seek out the best therapists and take the best supplements to support your health. You will also likely have a lot of sporting equipment in your house and garage, and be devoted to biking, skiing, hiking, walking or whatever outdoor pursuit you choose. And, you will certainly not tire of learning and talking about the latest insights that may help you advance and perfect your passion.
Low value areas, on the other hand, are neglected – you do not invest adequate time, and you are unwilling to invest your money and everything becomes overwhelming and exhausting. The amount of time, money and energy you spend on this area is held to a minimum.
When someone has not yet learned to value health, they hand over responsibility to their doctor: ‘fix me’ and don’t tell me to change my diet, I have no time for this. The doctor does her/his best with the cancer, fatigue, allergies, or migraine with little success as the disease is only a symptom (NOT the problem itself) and the end result of a cascade of daily habits and events driven by lifestyle, environment and dietary choices.
Low value areas are only neglected because there are no positive beliefs associated with them. This can only be changed if a core belief or value is attached to alter and shift your focus. Or the importance of a low value activity is related to a high value aspect of your life – this is why it is called linking.
Every belief is the accumulation of convincing arguments. If you have ten arguments against sport and only one for it, the scale will tip always against you doing it. You will always choose according to your values and do what’s loaded with more positive beliefs and perceived benefits.
A simple example of linking can be found in dating process. What will a young lover not do, no matter how far removed from their normal likes and preferences, to impress a potential partner! A walk in a rose garden or an outing to the football is a joy and a huge motivation when linked to the positive outcomes of spending time with a potential partner!
By understanding this simple principle you are able to shift values slowly but constantly. The key is to link health with one or more of your high value areas. What benefit will I gain from better health in my preferred area of finances or career recognition or family relationships or pursuing your life’s mission?
Our challenge is to take responsibility for our health outcomes by changing the way we think. Challenge unhealthy beliefs, evolve by letting go of judgement and learn to see the perfection in everything. Seek to find the life lesson in the process of disease and change the outcome by changing the way you think. So go out and re-invent yourself – Wow!
Remember, this is a journey and not a destination. Some useful tools along the way may include your preferred form of spiritual practice, meditation, retreat, yoga, tai chi, chi gong, massage, nature walks, dance, exercise, music etc.
As always, we here at Core Naturopathics are happy to answer any questions, provide guidance and as always are at your service.