Living Naturally According to Our Evolution Part 2: Clothing and People
This is a continuation of my blog series on how to improve your life, by living closer to our biological natures.
We evolved in a very specific set of circumstances and we have adopted an approach of changing our environment rather than our approach.
In everything, we seek technological solutions. But what if those solutions don't match our very biological natures? Very little thought is put into whether a given technology or lifestyle actually fits out natures, or even what our nature is.
For the first part of the series, see here.
Shoes
Yes, shoes. It might seem bland, but it's in the basics I think, what you wear. We evolved to be wild and free. At most, during the stone age, using moccasins.
Conventional shoes with a toe drop, and a raised heal, as well as constricted toe boxes, all inhibit the natural function of the foot.
Toes need to splay for balance, and running or walking with barefoot shoes does not land so heavily on the heel.
Watch how you walk with no shoes, versus shoes. It's very different. Indeed if you get barefoot shoes, you might need to retrain how you walk in shoes. There's a sort of 'roll' to it.
In addition, the feet offer feedback via sensation for balance. The full mobility of the foot and this feedback makes one a lot more agile. One can balance, climb, jump and move better.
As a subjective benefit, barefoot shoes are considerably more comfortable. So much so, that I could not possibly go back to conventional shoes. Many athletes have been injured by conventional shoes, indeed barefoot shoes were originally pioneered by a pro tennis player. Your toes get bent by an overly restrictive toe box, and the heelstrike can do impact damage to your foot and ankles.
Of course, barefoot shoes are not designed for jogging or running on pavement. And there are conditions like tramping where a thicker sole is demanded.
I personally like Vivobarefoot. I'm a fan of this company because they also make good looking street shoes, women's shoes, and work shoes. You can do stylish and comfortable at once. There are a lot of 'barefoot' shoes that aren't real, like those from Nike. They still have bad toe boxes, thick soles, and a toe drop. But they call themselves barefoot. So be aware of that.
Another good idea is taking shoes off when you can. There is some loose science that suggests 'grounding', ie touching the ground with our shoes might have benefits. And I do mean loose. However, subjectively it feels mighty good to feel the grass or sand on your feet. And of course, your skin needs to breathe.
If you can’t get anything else or afford it, as far as casual shoes go, skater shoes or boat shoes are at least flat, if you can find some with good toe room, that's a cheaper alternative. They won't flex quite as well, or offer the feedback, but can usually be had for bargain bin prices.
Clothing
The second element is ones clothing itself. I believe comfort actually impacts your mindset. In the study of biofeedback, it’s been discovered that body posture feeds back into your mood. So you literally feel more confident just by pushing your shoulders back a bit, uncrossing your body, widening your legs and relaxing your hips.
The science on loose clothing itself is sparse, but studies do show that tight clothing inhibits breathing, circulation and digestion; all of which impact mood and stress. I think this is somewhat common sense, otherwise, people wouldn't throw off their work clothes at the end of the day.
There's a reason why monks and martial artists dress this way.
As with shoes, looser clothing also increases agility. If you can breathe fully, digest fully, and move with a wide range of motion, you not just more comfortable, you are generally more ready for life.
It’s perfectly possible to get a dressier look without having tight or restrictive clothing, so this is an area to be a bit creative in. Combined with some good shoes, I can't tell you how much more bearable this makes a work day.
Once you get your comfortable natural shoes and your looser clothing; see how much better you feel just by adjusting small things like how you dress.
Community and Touch
As important as light is to mood, so is a community. In fact, in the study of subjective well-being (happiness), three factors are considered the biggest; freedom, community and purpose.
Purpose and sense of place are outside the scope of this series, but side note: don't disregard philosophy or spirituality, it has been shown to make you happier.
Anyway, neuroscience tells us, that bonding with others increases our serenic receptor activity via a hormone called oxytocin. This directly makes you happier. Rymthnic touch (caress), caring for something, bonding, and sharing, and orgasm all release this hormone. We evolved to be a part of a tribe. We are happiest when we connect with others.
And we evolved to touch. If you watch children you see they touch without inhibition. In our modern post-Christian society, we have puritanical ideas about the relationship between sex and touch. People tend to avoid that comforting touch on the shoulder, pat on the back the hug goodbye for fear that it might be misinterpreted. The paranoic age of #metoo doesn't help.
In fact, touch is so important that it has shown that a touch can communicate an emotion with around 78 percent accuracy!
In the absence of solid friendships and family connections, a pet or even a plant still helps. Petting a cat or dog also stimulates this hormone, or even caring for a plant. Studies show people with plants or pets in nursing homes actually live longer. If you live alone, or are a bit of a hermit, get some plants and a cat, dog or other touch-friendly pet (Mammals tend to be better).
It'll enrich your life massively. Petting is part of our shared evolution, in terms of familial grooming, so your pet will be happier too.
In general: don’t be afraid of touch; giving and getting the odd shoulder pat, or hug will improve your wellbeing.
Society and Communication
In an evolutionary context, societies work best with smaller numbers. Less anonymity increases pro-social behaviors and reduces criminality. Our trust mechanisms work best, as I discussed in my very first blog on an in-person, direct scale.
These smaller scales also reduce mooching and exploitation. This makes societies far more cohesive when they operate on a small scale, in person manner.
In that same context, a shared activity, or common area increase community connections. Which benefits us and our happiness, and our society. Common garden projects, for example, help bring people together, as does cohousing.
Obviously, it goes without saying, that more time spent with friends and family, and less online in virtual relationships is going to be better for you. When you do communication online, don't avoid the personal touch entirely.
Talk about your life. Do a little video chat rather than text only. Anonymity can be an effective political shield, as well as a sort of psychological defense. But it does not promote prosocial behavior or fulfill our evolutionary and psychological needs.
It would benefit us all, to have some of our online relations be a little more like in person ones. To treat each other as people. You can bond with people online a little, even if it's not the same, it helps make the online world more human, and everyone a tiny bit happier.
If you can manage it, try living in touch with a smaller community, or participating in a neighborhood activity, be in church, gardening or whatever suits you. When you can bring things down to that smaller, direct scale they work better for you and those around you.
Our social networks not only make us happier, and influence our behaviors but they also enable us to do more with our lives. With a community, you will literally get more done, fight off disease better and more. Social capital or community connection is decreasing in the west, and it's up to us to correct that.
Obviously surround yourself with good people, as their behaviors and moods can rub off on you. I'm also not at all talking about being naive, oversharing or being overly trusting. Trust is earned.
But whether it's a cat, a small houseplant, an online connection, or sharing a bit of sugar with your neighbor; reach out to the world.
Both you and the world will be better for it.
More to come in part 3.
Sources