Stimuli to get across domains and the strategies to get them

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As we’ve explored in previous posts, our bodies require specific stimuli to stay healthy, similar to the ones our early Homo Sapiens ancestors experienced through their lifestyle and environment. To better understand and incorporate these stimuli into our modern lives, it’s helpful to classify them into four domains: physical, nutritional, mental, and environmental.

The Four Domains of Stimuli

Physical Domain: This encompasses the stimuli we receive from our physical interactions with the environment, such as:

  • The types and volume of movement we engage in (or lack thereof)
  • The clothing and footwear we wear
  • The physical demands and challenges we face Most fitness recommendations fall under this domain.

Nutritional Domain: This domain covers the stimuli we get from what we eat and drink. It’s pretty straightforward, but the quality, quantity, and diversity of our food play a crucial role in providing the necessary nutritional stimuli for optimal health.

Mental Domain: These are the stimuli we receive from our lifestyle choices and social interactions, such as:

  • Living in small, close-knit groups or large, anonymous cities
  • The quality and quantity of our social connections
  • Time spent in nature versus urban environments Our mental well-being is heavily influenced by these factors.

Environmental Domain: This includes the stimuli we’re exposed to simply by living in our specific environment, such as:

  • Pollution levels (or lack thereof)
  • Exposure to artificial lighting and EMF
  • Temperature and humidity variations While we may have less control over these factors, they still impact our health.

It’s important to note that these domains are not mutually exclusive. Many stimuli can fall into multiple categories, highlighting the interconnectedness of our health and environment.

The Balancing Act: Precautionary Principle and Cost-Benefit Analysis

In addition to the beneficial stimuli our ancestors experienced, our modern lifestyle also introduces a plethora of novel stimuli across all four domains. Some of these new stimuli may be harmless, while others could have detrimental effects on our health.

For example, modern footwear often constrains our feet in ways they haven’t evolved to cope with, potentially leading to foot and postural issues. This is just one instance of a new stimulus that our bodies are not fully adapted to handle.

When faced with novel stimuli, it’s wise to adopt a precautionary approach. If a stimulus is new, it may have unintended consequences, and its adoption should be considered carefully through a risk-benefit analysis.

A classic example is the use of antibiotics. While they have been hugely beneficial in treating bacterial infections, their overuse and misuse have led to negative consequences, such as the disruption of our gut microbiome and the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The current medical consensus is to prescribe antibiotics judiciously and only when necessary, as the potential costs can outweigh the benefits in cases where a bacterial infection is unlikely.

It’s crucial to recognize that any deviation from the stimuli our bodies have evolved with has the potential to impact our health negatively. However, predicting these effects can be challenging when new stimuli first emerge. Some, like cigarettes, have proven to be highly detrimental, while others, like coffee, have turned out to be relatively harmless for most people.

Moreover, even when certain stimuli have negative implications, we may choose to accept them if the benefits outweigh the costs. Reading and screen time, for example, can strain our visual system, but giving them up would significantly reduce our quality of life in the modern world. In such cases, we might opt to mitigate the harmful effects rather than eliminate the stimulus entirely.

A Thoughtful Approach to Navigating Modern Stimuli

Given the complexity of our modern environment, how can we best navigate the stimuli we encounter? Here’s a framework to help guide your approach:

  • Understand the stimuli our bodies have evolved with and require for optimal health
  • Aim to incorporate as many of these beneficial stimuli as possible into our daily lives.
  • Identify and minimize exposure to novel, harmful stimuli that can be avoided.
  • For novel, harmful stimuli that can’t be entirely avoided, find ways to mitigate their impact.

By understanding the stimuli our bodies have evolved to thrive on and being mindful of the novel stimuli introduced by our modern world, we can make informed choices that promote our health and well-being. It’s not about trying to perfectly recreate our ancestral environment, but rather about finding a balance that allows us to benefit from modern advancements while respecting our biological needs.

Picture of Julien Le Nestour
Julien Le Nestour
Behavioral scientist and natural movement fan. The founder of Foresighted, I help people realise it's easier than they think to shift their lifestyle towards a healthier, more sustainable one.

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