It's a no-brainer that the way we live nowadays is so different from our more primal days, so much that, were any of us taken back to those times, death would be more likely than survival. The same could be said about the reverse, but the lifestyle that humanity used to have was better suited for us. After all, we'd evolved around it.
When speaking of illness, there are two factors to consider, the physical and the mental. If we're dealing with a hierarchy of needs, though, and there is a hierarchy for everything, then we see that, to survive, the physical must be taken care of first.
5: Lights on
One of the main things that we lost with the arrival of civilization and technology is that of the natural cycle of the day, from campfires and torches to the screen on your cell phone. The world is getting brighter, and it's less expensive as we go along. Places which have never been lit are getting illuminated, and where there is light, it can shine far into the night depending on how late businesses close.
There are a few unintended effects on the environment beyond actual pollution. Insects can get attracted to buildings and leave their ecosystems. Sea turtle hatchlings go towards the light and can get snatched up by predators before reaching the sea. Trees bloom out of season, which leaves them vulnerable.
Humanity also pays a price. We sleep later and with less quality because melatonin is disrupted by artificial light. In fact, the way we rest has changed, for we used to sleep in two periods of around four hours that were separated by one hour or two of a near-sleep state, and it's a pattern that we acquire when we remove light pollution.
4: Just five more minutes
Speaking of sleepless nights, it's one of those issues where the health benefits are insurmountable, and at the same time, it can be devastating if you don't get enough. With our fast-paced, high-pressure lifestyle, some of us can barely find the time to sleep, and even when we do, we can struggle to get there.
You'll have a harder time focusing on simple tasks, and that goes for general function in your brain, and that can lead to accidents if you're not careful. You'll be forgetful. Your mood will be volatile, so mind your manners. Since your hormones are all messed up, you'll also be hungrier and it'll be harder to control yourself.
There have been recent findings that sleep deprivation can also induce suicidal thoughts. Granted, this is if you already have depression, but it's like adding gasoline to a fire that you're trying to put out, especially considering that some depressed people have a lot of trouble getting to sleep in the first place.
3: Pour some sugar on me
The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist and then convincing it to eat more sugar. If you live outside of the United States, then this isn't as much of a problem, but it's still an issue.
A study published in JAMA found that adults who consumed over 10% of their daily calories from sugar were at a higher risk of heart disease and other conditions. Main sources of sugar were soda, juice, desserts, and candy. They also found that the more sugar you consumed, the more total calories you ingested in the long run, which seems like a no-brainer until you remember that sugar in itself has addictive properties.
The lack of protein, fiber or any other nutrient that could come with sugar is also worrying. Empty calories are to be avoided if you want to lose weight, after all, or you'll still be hungry after finishing even a full meal if you're not careful. The average American eats over three times the daily limit for sugar, so it might be a good idea to check your habits and see what you can change about them.
2: Just a little mad
As society gets better at remembering everything you do, it's less likely that you can lash out and get rid of any negative feelings in a quick manner. Instead, what most people do is hold it in. There's a sweet spot which will help you think more rationally, but it's hard to stay there.
Anger is bad for the heart, and I'm not being metaphorical. Heart disease has a correlation with pent-up anger that never sees the light of day. If you can use it to be more productive and actually face your issues, then you'll get resolution and the effects on your health will be the opposite. This goes beyond any cardiovascular disease, for example, strokes can come from anger. Your immune system is affected as well.
Anxiety and anger go hand in hand. If you have Generalized Anxiety Disorder, then this just makes it worse, and more difficult to handle. Depression comes as a next step, and their relationship is pretty much the same. Try and find a way to let your rage and grudges go, and you'll find yourself just feeling better and living a longer life.
1: Idle legs are the devil's plaything
Sitting. It can be comfortable, especially if you're overweight, better than just standing around all day, right? Well, no. It's not just about the lower amount of calories that you burn when you're on your ass, or its correlation to obesity, or its correlation to high blood pressure, or its correlation to high blood sugar, or its correlation to high cholesterol levels, it also puts you at risk for cardiovascular disease.
If you're sitting over eight hours a day with no other physical activity, then you're just as likely to die as an obese smoker. Try to change small things about how you go through your workday. Get a standing desk. If you can't, take a rest from sitting every half hour. Stand up while watching T.V., talking on the phone, reading a book, playing games. Just the amount of calories that you can burn alone is reason enough to get off your caboose and walk around a little, even if it's just in circles.
There isn't any way we could revert back to the system that we used to have before modern life kicked in. The truth is that this has been gaining momentum for thousands of years, and it's likely that we'll come to adapt to it biologically given enough time, but meanwhile, it's a good idea to get a natural rhythm of sleep, watch your anger, and just stand around for a while instead of sitting around all day.
There isn't any way we could revert back to the system that we used to have before modern life kicked in. The truth is that this has been gaining momentum for thousands of years, and it's likely that we'll come to adapt to it biologically given enough time, but meanwhile, it's a good idea to get a natural rhythm of sleep, watch your anger, and just stand around for a while instead of sitting around all day.
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