How Your Beliefs Shape Your Mental Health
By Adel Houten
I’ve carried one core belief for as long as I can remember… no matter what happens, everything will always work out OK. It doesn’t mean life is perfect or that I never face challenges, but it does mean I meet those challenges with a sense of calm and curiosity instead of panic. That belief acts like an anchor in stormy seas. Now imagine someone whose default belief is “The world is out to get me” or “I’m cursed.” They could experience the same situation as me, yet their mind instantly interprets it as proof that life is against them. One person feels safe to navigate uncertainty, the other feels trapped and helpless. The difference isn’t the event—it’s the lens through which it’s viewed.
How beliefs are formed
Beliefs are built from layers of past experiences, starting in early childhood. We absorb them from our family’s attitudes, cultural norms, religion, teachers, friends, and the media.
When something happens, our brain doesn’t just record the event—it tags it with meaning. If the meaning is repeated enough, it becomes a belief.
Once a belief is in place, our subconscious constantly scans for evidence to prove it right. This is called confirmation bias. If you believe people can’t be trusted, you’ll notice every betrayal but ignore every act of kindness.
Over time, these beliefs harden until they feel like facts. But they’re not facts—they’re filters.
Spirituality as a mental health protector
Research consistently shows that a spiritual outlook can protect against depression, anxiety, and stress. When you believe in something bigger than yourself—whether that’s God, the Universe, Source, or a deeper intelligence—you start to trust that there’s purpose in life’s twists and turns.
You stop seeing yourself as powerless and start to feel supported. It’s why someone can lose a job and think, “This is a disaster” while another thinks, “This is making space for something better.” One belief spirals into despair, the other fuels resilience.
Your beliefs create your thoughts. Your thoughts create your emotions. Together they shape your reality. Change the belief, and you shift the entire emotional chain reaction.
5 ways to change your beliefs
The good news is that beliefs are not set in stone. They can be reshaped, upgraded, and even completely rewritten at any stage of life.
Notice your inner dialogue: Spend a week listening to the phrases you say to yourself. If you catch “I’m unlucky” or “I’m not good enough,” write it down. Awareness is the first step to change.
Challenge the evidence: For every limiting belief, actively seek examples that contradict it. If you believe “nothing works out for me,” list times when it actually did. This starts to rewire the brain to see a bigger picture.
Use EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques): Tapping helps release the emotional charge that keeps a belief locked in place. Once the emotion is reduced, it’s far easier to consciously choose a new perspective.
Surround yourself with people who think differently: The energy and language of the people you spend time with shapes your own mindset. Spend more time with those who see possibility rather than problems.
Create belief affirmations: Pick statements that feel expansive, not forced. “I am always supported” or “Life is working for me” are simple yet powerful. Repeat them daily until they start to feel true.
The ripple effect of new beliefs
When you upgrade a belief, you don’t just change your thoughts—you change your emotional state, your actions, and ultimately the results you get in life. You begin to notice opportunities instead of obstacles. You become less reactive and more intentional.
One belief can be the difference between seeing life as a constant battle or a continuous unfolding of opportunities. And the most liberating truth of all? You get to choose which belief you live by.
