Many would argue that society has continued to develop over hundreds of years, resulting in significant improvements for the human race as a whole. I do not deny this statement; however, I contend that the creation and development of modern society serve as catalysts for the mental health epidemic we face today. Society functions as the mechanism that has enabled the rise of PTSD, anxiety, depression, and many other mental health diagnoses. Yes, I assert that without modern society, we would be objectively happier and calmer than we are today, rather than riddled with anxiety and panic attacks on a daily basis.
The first piece of evidence I would like to present is the distinction between "animal" and "human." “Animal” refers to our existence as basic mammals, driven by internal urges that satisfy our primal needs. “Human,” on the other hand, refers to our existence as social beings living in large societies governed by norms, mores, and laws. Our animalistic internal drives are consistently challenged by our modern social desires. As animals, we are basic organisms. When we were first created—by whatever means you believe—we had a handful of needs dictated by internal drives focused on survival, including procreation. Times were simpler then; we felt hunger when we needed food, thirst when we needed water, fear when we needed to survive, arousal when we needed to procreate, and fatigue when we needed to rest. Of course, there were nuances to these experiences and emotions, but they were limited and straightforward. The only anxiety we experienced in those times arose when we felt unsafe. As we evolved, we complicated our lives by introducing wants into the equation.
As humans, we are highly social beings, constantly asking ourselves not only, “Am I safe?” but also, “Do I belong?” By creating society, we have constructed more opportunities to feel threatened and have introduced the possibility of alienation. Our human nature drives us to connect with others, and when we are unable to do so, we develop anxiety—the fear of not belonging. This instinct existed at a basic level in the beginning, as an animalistic drive for survival. We needed our small groups to survive, and males sought females to procreate, but this did not involve the complications of modern society. As humans, we are socially driven to identify a mate and are often taught to be monogamous. This belief is instilled in us through social norms and religious doctrine. However, our initial animal nature as males is to seek out females for procreation, creating a natural clash between these long-standing drives and the social expectations that have developed over the last few centuries. This is not an argument about traditional gender roles or to argue for or against monogamy; it is a scientific discussion on human evolution. Males are wired to feel a “pull” toward females for procreation, while females are wired to nurture and ensure the survival of their offspring. Society has challenged these roles, and whether one believes this is appropriate or not is beside the point. The reality is that there is a significant increase in anxiety and even depression due to the internal conflict between evolutionary drives and the guilt and shame that arise when we violate social norms due to these internal drives.
Moreover, we now have more opportunities to feel fear, and our brains have become more sensitive to perceived threats, often misidentifying them as legitimate dangers. Our brains contain an amygdala, which is primarily responsible for detecting threats and signaling the body to prepare for fight or flight. The frontal lobe oversees the evaluation of these identified threats, either heightening or dampening the fear response. Thus, our brains assess incoming information from the present, balance it against past experiences, and together, the amygdala and frontal lobe determine whether a real threat exists that requires activating the fight-or-flight response. This response is crucial for survival, releasing a cocktail of hormones that grant temporary "superpowers" to escape or confront a threat. This is helpful in situations where we might encounter a wild animal or an unfamiliar person approaching our camp. However, in modern society, we are inundated with unknowns and threats, and our brains have not fully adapted to this reality.
I will refer to two types of threats: “real threats” and “perceived threats.” Real threats involve situations where there is a genuine possibility of physical harm or loss of life, such as encountering a lion in the wild, someone pointing a gun at us, our child stepping into oncoming traffic, or someone attempting to strike us with a baseball bat. We experience real threats when we or a loved one face circumstances that endanger survival, triggering our animal instinct to protect. The body is then flooded with hormones and chemicals that enhance our ability to respond appropriately—oxygen levels increase, blood is redirected to vital functions, and adrenaline heightens strength and senses. These responses are beneficial when one needs to lift a car off a loved one or flee from someone wielding a weapon. However, they are not useful for addressing social threats or perceived threats.
Perceived threats arise when our brains categorize something as a threat, triggering the fight-or-flight response, even when the threat does not pose a real danger to our lives or safety. These threats could include the loss of a job, an eviction notice, or an unexpected medical bill. The brain cannot always discern between real threats and perceived threats, and this difficulty increases with the amount of trauma or anxiety an individual has experienced.
This unnecessary anxiety not only limits our ability to navigate or resolve social threats but can also hinder our decision-making. When the amygdala sends signals that we are in danger, the frontal lobe attempts to provide logical reasoning to mitigate this fear response. However, when experiencing high levels of anxiety or a trauma response, our logic becomes muffled by fear, rendering us incapable of thinking rationally. This can lead to severe anxiety symptoms, impulsive emotional reactions, and a lack of logical problem-solving skills—none of which are helpful in managing an eviction notice or job loss. Essentially, with the creation and development of society we have created a new form of “anxiety”; chronic stress. Chronic stress is essentially a fight or flight response in reaction to social threats, and the energy produced in the body is useless, while also dampening logic and our ability to navigate a social threat effectively. We evolved as animals for thousands of years, and as social humans in modern society for only hundreds of years; our brain has not caught up.
The complexities of modern society have reshaped our fear responses and heightened levels of anxiety and depression. As our lifestyles have evolved, so too have the ways we manage our mood and emotional well-being. Four key areas can help us restore homeostasis—the balance of chemicals and hormones crucial for mental health: nutrition, sleep, physical activity, and social interaction. More detail on these pillars here.
Nutrition: Feed Your Gut, Feed Your Mood
What we eat directly affects our gut microbiome, which plays a significant role in inflammation and serotonin production. In fact, about 95% of serotonin, often dubbed the "happiness hormone," is produced in the gut. Poor dietary choices can lead to an imbalance of healthy bacteria and increased inflammation, both of which are linked to negative mood states. Prioritizing nutrient-dense foods can promote a healthier gut, supporting both mood and overall well-being.
Sleep: The Brain's Reset Button
Sleep is not just about rest; it’s a vital process that helps us process the events of our day. Our sleep cycles include four distinct phases, with the fourth phase—delta or REM sleep—being essential for memory consolidation and emotional regulation. Insufficient sleep can lead to fatigue, impaired cognitive function, and heightened anxiety. By prioritizing quality sleep, we allow our brains the time they need to recover and make sense of our experiences.
Physical Activity: Move to Improve
Exercise is a powerful tool for enhancing mood. It stimulates the release of endorphins, often referred to as "feel-good" hormones, while simultaneously reducing stress hormones like cortisol. Regular physical activity not only combats feelings of anxiety but also promotes overall emotional resilience. Incorporating movement into our daily routines can significantly impact our mental health.
Social Interaction: The Power of Connection
Human beings are inherently social creatures. Social interactions trigger the release of oxytocin, a hormone that fosters feelings of connection and well-being. In contrast, modern society often encourages isolation through technology and sedentary lifestyles. Re-establishing meaningful connections—whether through friendships, family, or community—can enhance our emotional health and provide essential support.
The real challenge lies not in the individual components of nutrition, sleep, activity, and social interaction, but in how modern society has altered our engagement with these behaviors. Historically, our ancestors thrived on natural rhythms—hunting, gathering, and socializing in tight-knit communities. Today, however, these essential behaviors have become optional tasks, often neglected in favor of convenience and sedentary entertainment. We use to naturally incorporate these activities into every day life, now we have to actively seek them out. We have to avoid screen time, go to the gym to get exercise, choose cooking over convenience, and sleep is impacted by superficial light, energy drinks, and increased anxiety. The rise of fast food, screen time, and lifestyle conveniences has shifted our daily priorities, impacting our physical and mental health. To regain balance, we must consciously reintroduce these vital components into our lives. By prioritizing nutritious foods, quality sleep, regular exercise, and genuine social connections, we can reclaim our innate ability to thrive emotionally and mentally.
Conclusion
In a world that often promotes shortcuts and isolation, understanding the significance of nutrition, sleep, physical activity, and social interaction is crucial. We also have to understand that we have an animal nature and a human nature, and they are at odds with one another in many scenarios, which often creates feelings of guilt and shame and leads to negative coping behaviors. We must continue to work towards integrating these two existences to become more harmonious, with compassion, education, and action.
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