Shifting Mindsets For Better Health



Have you ever noticed how your thoughts shape your energy and even your body? This has been on my mind all week after noticing patterns in patients.

In Chinese Medicine, the mindset is not just something in your head. The emotions behind our thoughts, such as anger or worry, influence our qi and the flow through our meridians. Over time, these mental patterns can affect not only our mental health but also our physical wellbeing.

What are mindsets?

A mindset is shaped by our experiences, beliefs, and of course by our elemental nature. It is the lens through which we tend to see the world. Sometimes these mindsets empower us, becoming our superpowers. Other times they limit what we think is possible.

Spotting limiting mindsets

Here is a little homework for you: think of a situation, even a small one, that has triggered a strong emotion. It could be something that happened this week, or a moment when you caught yourself saying, “I’m not very good at this.”

Now pause and notice what you are telling yourself in that moment. It is about understanding the thought behind the emotion. It might be:

→ “I’m not doing enough.”

→ “Maybe people don’t value what I do.”

Everyone experiences the same world differently, so your response to any event will be unique. These reactions are often deeply subconscious, but over time they can affect both our physical and mental health.

The Chinese Medicine Connection

Our astrological elements can shed light on these patterns. For example, I am a Water Rooster, which means my natural strengths are depth and wisdom. However, under stress, my go-to emotions are fear and insecurity. Recognising this helps me meet these feelings with compassion rather than judgment and gives me space to respond differently rather than acting from that place.

Simple ways to shift your mindset

Pause and breathe. When an old story arises, take three deep breaths into your lower dantian, about a hand’s distance below the belly button.

Reframe gently. Ask yourself, “What else could be true here?” Often we are not responding to the event itself, but to our experience of it.

Keep a list. Each time you notice a limiting belief or mindset, write it down. Start with, “A story I have been telling myself is…” and then replace it with, “A new story I will live by is…”

Why this matters for your health

When we soften limiting mindsets, we free up stagnant qi. The body relaxes, the breath deepens, and the spirit expands. Healing begins not just physically, but also in how we move through life. Shifting our mindset can protect us from illness and help us move towards our full potential.