Evolutionarily-Rooted Remedies for Well-Being

The modern world is full of luxuries our ancestors could never have fathomed. Notwithstanding, now more than ever before we are disconnected from nature. This chasm between our everyday realities and the outdoors which shaped our ancestors over millennia can leave us feeling enervated without our conscious awareness. We obtain energy from our environment – from sources such as food, water, air, sun, and earth. Reuniting with each of these elements in the way we were naturally designed to nourishes our body by engaging with it in its own language. In this entry, we are going to delve into simple, evolutionarily rooted-remedies that boost mood and energy levels.

Spend time under the sun and stars

You may intuitively know that a bright blue sky significantly augments overall happiness and energy levels. But did you know that just as plants use the sun’s rays for energy through photosynthesis, certain cells are also powered by sunlight? That’s right. The millions of little cellular buggers in your sweet body get where they need to go at least partially by using sunlight as a source of fuel (and water as a conduit…so stay hydrated). Additionally, early exposure to natural light may improve sleep through circadian rhythm regulation. On sunny days, throw open the shades and spend some time in the sun, letting its rays penetrate your skin and eyes (though beware of looking directly at the sun). As for the stars, time under celestial wonders is medicine for the soul.

Walk barefoot on the earth when you can

Modern lifestyle of indoor living and shoes separate us from contact with the outdoors. Yet, direct physical contact with the earth lends to mysterious health benefits. The surface of the earth is simmering with electrons, and connecting our skin directly with the ground beneath us balances our internal bioelectrical environment. Studies support that in addition to bolstering a subjective sense of well-being, grounding practices support better sleep and reduced pain. Next time you’re at a picnic, consider kicking those sandals off.

Be in Cold Water

Though the thought of submerging in cold water may sound all but therapeutic, studies find that immersing in cold water stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for rest and digestion. For most of human history, our kind bathed in natural bodies of water, which often are goose-bump inducing. If taking a cold shower sounds torturous, perhaps try rinsing your face with cold water after a workout or stressful moment at work. Notice how you feel afterwards. And next time you frequent a natural body of water, count to three and jump in!

Silence

Though the adult human brain comprises about 2% of the total body weight, it consumes about 20% of the body’s energy. That’s very pricey brain expenditure, and yet, our bustling modern world often requires it. To conserve your body’s finite and precious energy, perhaps honor yourself with breaks. Such breaks should involve a total halt of stimuli, and yes, that rules out scrolling through Facebook as a true break. When you sense a yawn coming on, perhaps pump the breaks on whatever you are doing and try restful activities such as going on a walk, tuning in with your breath, preparing a nourishing meal, or whatever else soothes your mind.

Sleep

Would you agree that we are societally addicted to constant stimulation? For better rest, unplug. This entails avoiding screens for at least an hour before bedtime, and dimming the lights in your home after sunset. After all, the invention of the light bulb is an extraordinarily recent in the span of human evolution, and only in darkness can our body create melatonin, the hormone responsible for sleep. Another sleep hygiene game changer may be committing to a calming bed-time activity, whether its stretching for 20-minutes before bed, reading by a warm hue, listening to music, giving yourself a foot massage, etc. Once you engage in this activity enough times, you may find a knee-jerk association between this activity and sleepiness. Like Pavlov’s mice, we are associative learners.

Speak your body’s language

If you read the nutrition labels affixed to processed foods, you may find that you don’t recognize the names of various synthetically manufactured ingredients, i.e. Sodium Nitrite,Carrageenan, Aspartame, etc. On a physiological level, your body also does not recognize these ingredients that it was never designed to ingest. You see, our internal body chemistry is in symmetry with the configurations of the foods we eat. In this way, consuming foods laden with artificial ingredients burdens our livers as our bodies try to detox from these unnatural ingredients.

Breathe

How long could one live without food? Perhaps up to a few weeks.

How about without water? Maybe a few days.

How about without air? Mere minutes.

Air is gifted to us at no cost, and devoting a few minutes each day to mindful breath work marinates us in many health benefits, both mental and physical. In addition to playing with our breath, it is also important to consider air quality. Do you spend most your time indoors as most people do? Is your home full of rugs and other dust catching furniture? Strategies for improving indoor air quality include investing in air purifying plants, keeping windows open when possible for proper ventilation, and maybe even investing in an air purifier. And the best strategy of them all might be to spend some time breathing outside to fortify your body and brain with much needed oxygen.

Move and Groove

Find movement that feels good. This may vary depending on the time of the month, but in addition to bolstering strength, mobility, and flexibility, engaging in some form of exercise pays major dividends for emotional health, too. Dancingis a surprisingly beneficial form of movement, because not only does it exercise the physical body, but it also invites joy and dissipates stress. And so, if you don’t have time for a full-on workout, sprinkle in some dancing throughout your day.

This may sound a little ridiculous, but another form of movement that is quick and effective is shaking. That’s right – literally shaking it off may activate the parasympathetic nervous system and consequently can calm one’s nerves. The next private moment you have, perhaps invest a few moments in shaking. Notice how you feel afterwards.

Tribe

Humans are evolutionally hardwired for connection. After all, a tribe is critical for any species to survive and thrive. According to the CDC’s website, loneliness may be more detrimental to health than smoking, obesity and inactivity. Perhaps make it a weekly priority to reach out to a loved one or long lost friend. Find local events. You may not be surprised to learn that social connections play a central role in happiness levels. But did you know that those social interactions extend to strangers as well? A 2014 study found that engaging with strangers also makes a significant dent in well-being. And so, perhaps challenge yourself to get to know your Uber driver, or chat with that friendly barista.

In summary….

Boiling human health down to imbalanced brain chemistry and genetic predispositions is a reductionist cop-out that evades all the ways our everyday environment is misaligned with the way evolution shaped us throughout human history. There is a colossal amount that we don’t know when it comes to the intriguing ways our bodies interact with the world around us, and science cannot dare to uncover the divine oneness of the universe. Yet, the intuitive truth you most probably already have felt is that harnessing our environment to activate our body’s innate healing system is good for the mind, body, and soul.