In the era of technological advancements and artificial intelligence, our overall well-being is on the decline due to a range of lifestyle factors triggered by sedentary habits. The lifestyle that our ancestors followed is starkly different from how we are living now. Always on the move, eating a healthy and diverse diet, and spending more time in nature kept them healthy and stress-free.
In the times of packaged foods, increased stress, a sedentary lifestyle, and a disconnect from traditional wellness practices, obesity, chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, fatty liver, and cancer are on the rise. According to the CDC, 6 in 10 adults in the USA have a chronic disease, while four in 10 suffer from two or more chronic conditions. With more than 100 million Americans suffering from prediabetes or diabetes, 50 million people with autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto’s, rheumatoid arthritis, or multiple sclerosis, and one-third of Americans suffering from high blood pressure, it’s time to have a serious re-look at our modern lifestyle. Going back to our roots and adopting some of the habits our ancestors followed can have a life-transforming effect on our well-being.
Healthy habits our ancestors followed:
Getting up early
Our ancestors woke up with the sun and went to bed as it set. Their sleep schedule was in tune with their circadian rhythm. No wonder they enjoyed better health and didn’t face the threat of chronic disease because they were in sync with nature. Getting up early can offer a range of health benefits to people. According to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, targeting sleep as a lifestyle modification, we can reduce the risks of so many life-threatening and life-altering diseases.
Eat a diverse diet
Eating an unprocessed diet helped our ancestors stay healthy and disease-free. They ate foods that were free from refined sugar, had less salt, and harmful chemicals and preservatives. Processed foods are highly prevalent in today’s diet, and many of us eat them in some form or another on a daily basis. No wonder, these foods are leading to a host of autoimmune diseases, kidney issues, and an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, blood pressure, among others. Eating nutrient-dense foods like dark green leafy vegetables, eggs, nuts and seeds, herbs, and spices can all have a positive impact on well-being.
Spend time in nature
Our ancestors spent most of their time in natural surroundings, which helped them reap the benefits of sunlight and fresh air. There wasn’t any need for deliberate movements or workouts as people moved naturally to do farming, take care of domestic animals, and other domestic tasks. Spending time in nature every day, even for 30 minutes, can help you feel more energetic, allow better nutrient absorption, and balance hormones.
Get bored
Before technological advancements and the advent of gadgets, boredom was a natural part of life. Children played with whatever they could find, from a coin to a little mud. Their brains had more opportunities to engage in creative thinking and problem-solving. Today, we prefer doomscrolling rather than ‘doing nothing,’ which does not allow our brains to think out of the box. Constantly staying glued to screens is, in fact, making our minds dull and unconstructive.
Sit less and move more
We have been spending more of our time sitting than moving, and this is reflecting in our overall health. From metabolic disorders to stress-related issues, our physical and mental health has been on the decline for the past few decades. It is important to get up from your chair or sofa whenever possible, pay attention to your posture, walk or take stairs to overcome the negative effects of a sedentary lifestyle.
In conclusion, by incorporating some of the healthy habits followed by our ancestors into our modern lifestyle, we can improve our overall well-being and reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Getting up early, eating a diverse diet, spending time in nature, getting bored, and sitting less while moving more are simple yet effective ways to take care of our health in this fast-paced world. It’s time to prioritize our health and well-being by going back to our roots and embracing a more natural way of living.
