Psychology Tutor: Mentor (PSI) Psycho-Social Incarnation

Believe it or not, there was a time when eating required more than paying someone to drive it to your house, people didn’t sit still in front of computers for 10 hours a day “working”/thinking up something clever for their Facebook status and going somewhere actually involved more physical effort than moving the gas pedal and a steering wheel. Actually in terms of evolution our bodies aren’t even close to catching up to this new modern lifestyle of ours. And unfortunately disregarding it entirely can have some pretty bad consequences.

Here are six reasons why appreciating your great, great, great, (get the idea?) grandparent’s lifestyle will mean a better happier you right now.

1.) Nap - Our ancestors spent hundreds of thousands of years living in very hot climates. Hottest time of day is just after noon, and it’s why after you eat lunch you start to feel a little dozy. Grabbing a power nap can mean extended concentration and energy throughout the day. Just make sure it’s a short nap, (15-20 mins.) because if it’s too long then you can slip into a deeper sleep which will have the opposite effect.

2.) Eat Breakfast! There is no question you’ve heard some form of this advice ad nauseam, yet it is still the most skipped meal in the day. Back in the savannah this was the biggest meal of the day because food was fuel. Our ancestors ate for energy because having that energy meant being a better hunter or gatherer throughout the day. Thankfully you don’t have to take down a woolly mammoth; instant oatmeal and piece of fruit and you’re all set. Trust me, your brain will thank you when it doesn’t have to fight to think.

3.) Small Meals! There is a reason 55% of the adult population are overweight, and the diet industry is a multi billion dollar industry. The two only feed off each other for the simple reason diets don’t work and most people end up gaining more weight afterward. Thanks to your ancestors- depriving yourself of calories simply tells your body to get ready to be starved and hang on to all that calorie rich fat in your belly for dear life to survive the winter. Instead of starving yourself, be a grazer; 5 smaller meals a day is ideal and will result in a fast metabolism (more weight loss) and more energy because your blood sugar won’t drop so much in between meals.

4.) Exercise! Sure survival of the fittest doesn’t seem to apply as much the modern industrialized world, but it did when food and resources were scarce. So if you’re around today, that means your ancestors were hard workers, good hunters, and intelligent enough to survive to reproduce. It’s literally in your genes to want to move and be healthy, and your body is more than willing to reward you for it. Self confidence, energy, endorphins are just a few of these rewards. Denying yourself of exercise is denying a huge part of who you are as a human being.

5.) Be Social! Life is hard. It was even harder when you had to corner a sabertooth tiger in order to eat. A little easier when you had a few friends to distract him for you and share in hauling the carcass back to the tribe. There was a very good reason humans like other humans then and still do. It is because they help and support each other which gave them a huge survival advantages before modern conveniences. And no, Facebook and Twitter don’t count for real interaction. Being around actual people is as necessary now as it was then, and ignoring this means loneliness and even depression. Think of it as the body’s way of telling you to go join a club or call an old friend for coffee.

6.) Sleep! Before the invention of electricity humans used to sleep and for hours. There were no 7am deadlines, or red eye flights to catch to rob us of needed rest. Sleep is among the most necessary components of living a healthy and complete life. We evolved to give our bodies and minds ample time to repair themselves and mend any unresolved issues that built up over the day. Ironic thing now is that our lives are busier than ever yet we are not giving our minds that chance to reset. That’s what sleep is, and not doing it consistently can have terrible consequences. Depression, anxiety are the more serious ones, but accumulated stress can means increased chances of heart disease and cancer. Sleep is important.

So there you go, 6 things you can do tomorrow to help you start finding your inner caveman and start living a healthier more complete life.

Donald Farber is a freelance writer. He writes for a variety of websites including Canada Life Insurance.