Steps to True Health #2: Choose Your Mindset

Last time in the series, I talked about some strategies on feeling better ASAP, so you can focus on your health for the long term. Today I’m going to talk about the importance of your mind and making the choice to strive for health.

Hope Matters

I don’t talk about my faith much on the blog, not because I’m ashamed of it or anything, but because what beliefs you profess don’t change the effectiveness of the homeopathic remedies. This is important because many people think that you have to “believe in” homeopathy in order for it to work, or that because Samuel Hahnemann had some questionable beliefs, that means all of homeopathy is based on mysticism and false religion.

All that to say, homeopathy is not a religion and homeopathic remedies don’t work in a mystical way (energy is not mystical; energy transfer is how our nervous system works). However, from a coaching perspective, there are some general beliefs that matter when it comes to staying healthy and vibrant for the long-haul.

Hope is one of these beliefs. Just the mindset shift from “nothing can help” to “there is hope I’ll feel better” can actually make you feel better. And that better feeling can be sustainable through continued hope. Even just the act of choosing to care about your health – by studying something like homeopathy – can improve your health by bringing awareness to the nuances of your body. Observing your symptoms and choosing the “right” remedy brings fulfillment, empowerment, and *hope* to your mindset.

As a Christian, I believe our ultimate hope is found in Jesus Christ. (See the resources at the end of this post if you’re wondering about denominational beliefs I hold.) I believe God created humans to love and be loved by Christ and each other. I believe we were created to heal from the inside out. And I believe that nature was created to help us heal, if we just make the effort to study it and try it out.

Questioning Germ Theory

Most people don’t have a problem with the concept of hope in general, and that having a good attitude can help you feel better. But when the germ theory starts to be questioned, suddenly a large group of previously open-minded people simply stop listening.

I’m not sure why this is, but germ theory is a belief system that has turned into a cult of sorts. And I want to encourage anyone reading this by saying that it is okay to question things, to listen to what others have to say, and then to make up your own mind about it. I’ll include several resources at the end of this post.

I am not a doctor, nor a scientist, but I love to read, learn, and think about these things. After about 3 years of study, I am convinced that viruses are not contagious – that they are a result of disease and not the cause of disease. I’m not even convinced that bacteria can be contagious from one person to another. I certainly think that all bacteria in our body is necessary to remove whatever is plaguing us.

I also think that sometimes pharmaceuticals are necessary to save a life. However, if you have a hope-filled mindset, eat well and move a lot, and have natural modalities to help you stay vibrant on a daily basis, I think it is very likely that you’ll never need a pharmaceutical to save your life. I could fill pages and pages with thoughts and explanations and resources on this topic, but that little taste of what’s in my head will have to do for now.

On a side note, understanding that the “germs” from others cannot make me sick has been particularly freeing for me. I had crippling anxiety about myself and my kids getting sick and subsequently a fear of anyone displaying symptoms (this is an indication for homeopathic Arsenicum, by the way). But changing this thought process has allowed me to love my children and others better because I no longer fear people from a germ theory perspective.

What Does Make You Ill?

Naturally, when the idea is presented that germ theory is false, the question always follows about what actually makes you sick. This is not an easy question to study because those who question germ theory tend to be more inclined to offer other theories without telling you exactly what to think. So here are some other possible theories that I believe have strong arguments. (Find resources at the end of this post.)

Toxemia Theory: This is the idea that our body is always striving for homeostasis. When our natural rhythms are interrupted by outside toxins, such as vaccines, bad food and water, and excess EMFs, our body becomes ill when we expel the toxins. We also accumulate small amounts of toxins from nature that need to be expelled occasionally. Within this model, illness can be prevented by living a life that encourages natural detox as well as doing seasonal cleanses.

Deficiency Theory: This model explains illness using nutritional deficiencies. I haven’t done as much reading on this but it seems very reasonable to think that a lack of certain nutrients can cause specific symptoms. Because of the prevalence of things like vitamin therapy during illness, and how effective that is, I have to admit that it seems symptoms can be caused just by holes in nutrition. Within this theory, top nutrition using whole foods (such as the concepts described by Weston A. Price), and supplements when necessary, is what prevents disease.

German New Medicine: This model is the newest in my studies, but it is also the most compelling. Its founder, Dr. Hamer, has well-documented research that he conducted to show how emotional shocks/conflicts affect our brain. When conflicts are resolved, this part of our brain heals and the result is physical symptoms in the area of the body also connected to that specific part of the brain. Under this model, a healthy lifestyle is important because it helps your emotions remained balanced. But, ultimately, disease will only come from the emotional triggers or physical triggers associated with the emotions. Therefore, prevention lies in the mindset and ability to remain calm in all situations.

I haven’t decided if I fall in only one of the above camps or a mixture of them. But one thing I know is that symptoms are our friend. It seems evident that symptoms are a result of your body doing the hard work of healing, not that you are “sick”. So you can be grateful for the symptoms coming to the outside that are telling you more about what’s going on inside!

Work on Boundaries

Boundaries are so important for healthy living. This includes understanding that our bodies (germs) are separate from each other, that our emotions are not controlled by others’ emotions, and that we are not sick solely because something has happened to us. Healthy boundaries in all areas removes victimhood and allows us to be in the drivers’ seat of our health.

Boundaries teach you how to accept responsibility as well. Other people do not cause you to act a certain way; your actions and reactions are fully within your control. Other people do not make you sick; rather, illness is influenced by your own choices. What other people believe doesn’t change your beliefs; you can choose to have hope in the midst of darkness.

Resources to Learn More

I’d love to write and write on all of my thoughts. But as a reader and absorber, I’m not an expert on any of the things mentioned above. I like to save my “expertise” studies for homeopathy and just use what I’ve presented in this article to guide my thought process as I learn more. Below are some expert resources that I personally use to learn about the ideas presented above.

My Faith

Pastor Wolfmueller has great articles, podcasts, and YouTube channel. I have found very little that I disagree with him about theologically.
1517 has a wide variety of resources that I love from a Lutheran perspective.
I also enjoy learning from some Reformed sources such as the podcast What Have You (for women) and Knowing Faith and books by John MacArthur, Elizabeth George, and Jen Wilkin. (If you’re curious, Dr. Krista falls somewhere in the Reformed Baptist category, which those in these last point come close to.)

Germ Theory and Other Thoughts

The Truth About Contagion book
Good-Bye Germ Theory book
What Really Makes You Ill? – large work of research-based evidence against germ theory
Toxemia Explained book
Virus Mania book (sometimes you can find the older version of this ebook online for free)
The Invisible Rainbow book – about the effects of stray EMF and electricity on humans
Weston A. Price Foundation resources about viruses
Dr. Amandha Vollmer videos – she comes from a toxemia theory foundation
Dr. Melissa Sell – excellent for German New Medicine and mindset education
Dr. Sears (where I got my health coach certification) also talks a lot about mindset being a necessary part of health

Working on Emotional Maturity

Boundaries – it is my opinion that every person everywhere should read this book :). It is written by Christians but Christianity is by no means a requirement to benefit from this exceptional material. They also have excellent books specifically for marriage and parenting.
Choosing Forgiveness book
Calm My Anxious Heart book for women

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