The results you achieve in life and health are largely dependant on what you believe and how you see the world.

Our beliefs are usually formed in three main ways:

• Our upbringing
• Our experience
• Our environment

And these beliefs go a long way to determining our daily habits and behaviours.

Some beliefs are very positive and cause a degree of certainty in our lives. Whilst others are very limiting and tend to hold us back from what's really possible and from exploring our true potential.

In simple terms, a limiting beliefs is a subconscious thought or perspective that holds you back from achieving a more productive or positive result. 

You may have limiting beliefs about money, relationships and your ability to achieve great things.  You can also have limiting beliefs with regard to your health.

Here, we delve into 5 of the most common limiting beliefs that have been cultivated and promoted for decades, about where health comes from, that have influenced society's approach to wellness, longevity and the avoidance of disease.

1. Disease is a Mystery 

Unfortunately, global health care has become a $9 trillion dollar (approximate) per year industry built on this belief.

The underlying premise of modern day health care is that intervention in the form of medicine or procedures is the only way to treat sickness and disease via symptomatic management.

As a result of this philosophy, big disease like Diabetes, Heart Disease and Cancer raise billions each year in the name of "finding a cure" and yet no cure is ever found.

The truth about disease is that are really only two causes - Toxicity and Deficiency.  And when you realise this simple fact, the solution becomes clear - "un-cause" the disease by detoxifying the body and rebuilding the immune system.

How?

With protocols like fasting, restoring the gut and practicing the 7 Principles of Health - Air, Water, Sunshine, Walking, Wholefoods, Non-Toxic Relationships and Passion. 

2. The Sun Causes Cancer

Since the late 1970's massive marketing campaigns have caused populations of the developed world to fear the sun - largely in the name of selling chemical-based sunscreen.

The sun should be respected not avoided.

And when you realise that without sunlight, there would be no life on earth, you understand how important sunshine is to our health.

The liver relies on Vitamin D from sunlight to support the immune system as well as a host of vital body functions.  Not only that, studies have proven that sunshine is a key factor in the avoidance of many cancers, including colon cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer. 

The other important thing to keep in mind is that sunshine is so powerful for mental health because of the role that the bio-photons of light have on the brain, in stimulating emotional molecules of happiness and joy.

Finally, when it comes to sun care products, be sure to avoid commercial sun blocks that contain petrochemicals that are known carcinogens.  Remember, that whilst these products block out the sun's UV rays, your skin being like a sponge, also absorbs these harmful chemicals into your blood stream.

Instead, use plant oils with natural SPF's (Sun Protection Factors) such as coconut oil, olive oil, almond oil, carrot seed oil and red raspberry seed oil.

If you're going to spend prolonged periods of time in the sun in the heat of the day, consider an organic sunscreen from your local health food store or our popular Sun Loves Me chemical-free sunscreen.

 3. I need to Eat Three Times a Day

Throughout history, the longest lived cultures existed and thrived by eating sporadically and going for long periods without food.

We are not meant to eat three square meals per day.  This notion has only been advocated since the commercialisation of the food industry over the past few generations.

Thankfully these days, more and more people are now waking up to the benefits of intermittent fasting as a lifestyle principle for boosting immunity, maintaining mind and body health, slowing the ageing process and avoiding disease.

There is no need to eat for the sake of eating or just because it's meal time. Your body is designed to go for prolonged periods throughout each 24 hour cycle without food, giving it an opportunity to assimilate nutrients, detoxify and re-set.

If it is vibrant health and longevity you are looking for, it's important to honour this principle and to not tie your body down to the false notion that it needs three square meals per day to be healthy and strong.

4. Salt Causes High Blood Pressure

Salt is the number one electrolyte of the body and it's also a powerful nutrient for protecting the cells from inflammation, infection and overwhelm.

Yet, salt has been attacked for decades on the basis of the false notion that is causes high blood pressure. 

The first thing to realise is that salt that has been tampered with and chemically refined should be avoided.  However, nature-made salts like Celtic Sea Salt and Pink Himalayan Rock Salt are very beneficial for supporting optimal nerve and muscle function, as well actually being good for blood health!

The human body uses salt to balance out all of the fluids in the blood and to actually maintain healthy blood pressure.  Also, salt ionises into calcium in the body, meaning it is extra important for building and maintaining strong, healthy bones and for avoiding osteoporosis and arthritis.

Don’t avoid salt in your diet, just be smart about the type of salt you consume.

 5. I need Meat for Protein 

The belief that meat is needed in the diet for protein to support strength is another false notion that has been around for decades.

Thankfully, many people are looking back into history and learning that many of the longest lived, strongest and brightest figures that ever lived were in fact vegetarian.

The word Protein originates from the Greek, Proteas, meaning "First Source".  When an animal eats plants, it is getting all of the first source building blocks of protein (e.g. amino acids) to create muscle.  When humans eat a dead animal, they are getting second source protein, which is a far less efficient source.

The truth is that all plants have every identifiable protein that we need to survive and thrive.  It's also interesting to note that the strongest pound-for-pound animal on earth is the Gorilla, which is a complete "fruitarian", and has the same anatomical structure as human beings.

We do not need to eat animal flesh for protein and muscular strength. Some of the richest sources of protein in the plant kingdom are:

• Chickpeas
• Lentils
• Tempeh
• Tofu
• Quinoa
• Spinach
• Almonds
• Peanut butter
• Hemp seeds
• Chia seeds
• Edamame

The reality is that the desire to eat meat is more out of addiction than need. All of theses protein sources are also far more eco-friendly and sustainable than raising animals for food as well.

The Main Takeaway

When it comes to the decisions you make around your health and wellness, do you have any limiting beliefs holding you back?

Most of the beliefs mentioned here are common societal beliefs that have been developed and reinforced over time.  It's up to us to consciously question these messages and to even do a little homework to determine if they make sense for us.

Remember, a limiting belief is nothing more than a belief you hold onto, that stops you from exploring your true potential. 

It's time to question everything and to be intuitive enough to make the right choices and decisions that add value to your life and health.

Tolman Self Care.