From the lack of green spaces for urbanites and the subsequent lack of fractals exposure, which has been shown to calm the nervous system (check previous posts about fractals in nature), the concrete jungles most of us live in, to the lack of exposure to complex lines, colours and patterns only ever found in the natural world. Even those lucky enough to reside in the countryside can find themselves a slave to their job, sitting at a desk most of their days, sitting indoors most of the time. This time of year is really tough to find that opportunity in the day to get natural daylight too.
How could you ever build a house with only half of the required building materials? How do you expect your mind to function optimally if you don't give it what it needs?
Foods high in lab-made fructose syrups designed to make the "food-like" product taste incredible, but plays haywire with your gut microbiota and causing dysregulation of the nervous system. Foods high in poor quality fats that compromise the cell walls in your body, resulting in a cascade of pro-inflammatory signals. Chronic inflammation is a major source of low mood for many.
Many people are afraid of protein. Most clients I've seen don't consume enough protein to keep their nervous system firing off on all cylinders. Protein is vital for body structures, the immune system, vitamins and minerals transportation, neurotransmitters and hormones. How could you ever build a house with only half of the required building materials? How do you expect your mind to function optimally if you don't give it what it needs?
We're wired and tired. So many sleep poorly and/or not enough. This really does a number on our immune system and elevates cortisol. If you elevate cortisol for long enough, it may lead to adrenal fatigue, at which point your usual go-to for that energy pick-me-up (looking at you, caffeine 👀) just won't cut it anymore. Elevated cortisol also suppresses the immune system....so when you do eventually allow yourself some time to rest and relax, it's likely you may come down with an infection, right at the moment you wanted to enjoy your downtime. Sound familiar?
We're chronically stressed. Deadlines, bills, money issues, commutes, traffic, long working hours, time-poor, an endless stream of bad news on the TV, and even if you don't watch it the news somehow finds you! We live in a culture where there is a huge demand for hyper-productivity. Being bored is a sin. Being exhausted from yours, your partner's and your family's schedule is a badge of honour.
And whatever you're doing, whatever you've achieved, is never enough. "You're always aiming for the thing" - Alan Watts.
We're more isolated than ever before. Families are spread the world over sometimes, friends live in distant towns, tight-knit communities aren't commonplace anymore. We're atomised. Sadly, the last few couple of years have driven us further apart. So much of our working lives, even social lives, is online.
Studies have shown we depend on social interactions, including touch, more than monkeys do. Whether you like being alone or not, the vast majority of humans are genetically structured for real life community.
There are things you can do to help counteract these negative constructs that are making us anxious and depressed, and over the coming weeks I'll let you know how.
If in the meantime you really need help with combating low mood, stress, anxiety or depression, please email me for details. You can book a free 20 minute call with me where we can go over your situation to see if nutritional therapy would be a good intervention for you.
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