Modern people are searching for better habits to live their lives and be healthy and happy in the process. However, truth be told, some of the easiest health-boosting guidelines can be obtained from our ancestors. They lacked the amenities today we have, but they were in touch with nature and had incorporated certain healthy habits. Below are five ancient ways of living that we can emulate to improve our quality of life deep down.
1. Eating Natural and Whole Foods
The ancient people did not have processed foods and no McDonalds or any other fast-food restaurants either. They only depended and relied on what nature provided especially fruits, vegetables and natural sources of proteins such as lean meats. These are good foods that contain nutrients, vitamins and minerals that make the body strong and healthy. Unlike most of the foods that are processed and packed today, whole and natural foods are healthy for the human body. Another way of assessing it is by realizing that by taking more of these natural foods and less of the processed snacks and meals we should be able to feed our bodies in the right manner.
2. Staying Active Throughout the Day
Ancient People were forced to be active in their life activities for them to effectively carry out their daily activities. Regardless of whether they were out hunting for food, tilling the land or looking for firewood, the bodies of both men and women were active. Today, most of us sit at our desks for hours in front of computers, or in front of our television sets. That is why if we want to get better it is necessary to be active during the day. Just the basic things such as going for a walk, tending a garden or instead of using the lift taking the stairs should be enough.
3. Getting Enough Sleep
There was no electricity or modern sophisticated gadgets such as smartphones to keep people awake at late night in ancient times. Just to let you know, those ancient people used to go to bed as soon as it got dark and rose as early as dawn. This was to enable them to get enough rest which is vital for the body to be healthy. Sleep allows our body tissues to repair themselves, strengthens immunity and has a positive impact on the cognitive aspects of our brain.
An inadequate amount of sleep can result in many sicknesses such as; obesity, heart disease and depression among others. To improve the quality of sleep one needs to maintain a regular practice of going to bed on time. Another way of avoiding exposure to bright screen light before bed is to avoid the use of electronics and devices right before bedtime since this informs the body that it is time to sleep.
4. Spending Time Outdoors
There is evidence that man and his ancients lived in close contact with nature. They spent much time practising in the open air, thus getting fresh their lungs full of fresh air and taking exercises under the direct sun. It has been identified that vitamin D found in natural resources such as sunlight also assists in an individual’s bone structure and the immune system. Other health benefits of going for nature include the relaxation of stress levels and improvement of mood. It has been suspected that exposure to nature can help decrease levels of blood pressure as well as levels of cortisol, which is a stress hormone.
5. Connecting with Others
In Ancient cultures, everybody lived in large families, or clans where people were heavily interrelated and usually helped each other in daily chores, feasts, and telling of stories and food sharing. One needs to have friends that they can relate with, especially from the social aspect of life. Nowadays there are many opportunities at work and many technologies which can capture our attention, therefore it is good to find time for family and friends. Social contacts are comforting mechanisms that help eliminate loneliness and make us feel that we are a part of society.
Nevertheless, using the ways practised in ancient times, we can adopt the simple yet efficient activities from our ancestors to become healthier and happier. Taking fresh foods and exercises, proper rest and sleep, time in the open air and association with people can have a most pronounced impact on how we feel and live. In some cases, turning the clock back may make a lot of sense for people to be able to start anew with a healthier lifestyle.
