It’s time to rewild yourself back to wellbeing

WITH SCOTT WATTERS FROM LIFECHANGER FOUNDATION.

Most of us today are experiencing a profound discrepancy between how we evolved to live and how we now live, with harmful consequences for our physical and mental health.

Fortunately, there are several straightforward ways to address this mismatch.

Spend more time outside. Too much time inside has many adverse effects on human physiology, so look for ways to get outside – from coffee on the patio to working by a pond.

Integrate more movement into your day. As well as spending most of their time outside, ancestral humans were also far more active than most people today. Look for opportunities to get moving, from cooking by hand to taking the stairs.

Spend extended time in wild settings. Beyond spending more time outside, look for opportunities to be in nature. It doesn’t have to be a wilderness – even a small patch of green can reduce your stress levels.

Positively stress your body with some discomfort. Positive stress is known as hormesis, and it brings many physical and mental benefits. Ways to experience it include fasting and cold-water immersion.

Go barefoot. Opting for minimal footwear, when possible, will improve the musculature of your legs and feet and reinvigorate your skin.

We evolved to interact in small, trusted groups. Prioritise socialising with people whom you truly trust and respect, and deliberately reduce the size of your online social networks.

The pathway to wellbeing is all around us; it’s actually just outside your front door!

LifeChanger is a preventative youth mental health and wellbeing program that builds social, emotional and resilience skills, and community connections, empowering young people to thrive.