Cultivating trust and a sense of agency
Caring for ourselves involves more than what we eat, how we move or the supplements we take. Our relationship with ourselves also deserves attention: how do we respond to what we are experiencing? What do we believe is possible? What can we actually influence?
In my approach, cultivating trust does not mean convincing ourselves that everything will be fine or expecting the body to heal through willpower alone. It means recognising our resources, our limits and our ability to take part in decisions about our health.
Research on placebo and nocebo effects shows that expectations and the context of care can influence certain symptoms and physiological responses. These effects vary across situations; they do not establish that our thoughts cause illness or are enough to cure it.
A renewed sense of agency can begin with simple actions: asking a question, expressing a need, choosing a realistic habit or seeking support. The aim is not to control everything, but to make room for observation, discernment and autonomy.
Living with illness is not a failure of self-trust. This approach accompanies appropriate care; it does not replace it.
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