Q: How is The Primal Connection different from The Primal Blueprint?
Mark: The Primal Blueprint focused almost entirely on the evolutionary underpinnings of proper human nutrition and exercise. In short, as animals, we function best eating the diet and doing the exercises that humans evolved eating and doing, so an evolutionarily concordant diet and exercise plan is a good place to start a healthy lifestyle.
The Primal Connection is about all the other environmental and social factors that shaped who we are today as a species. .............
Q: What’s the most glaring deficit in the modern human psyche?
Mark: A lack of mindfulness. It’s ironic, because we’re inundated with information, data, and knowledge that purports to fill our brains. Everything you could ever want to know about anything is right there at our fingertips.
But what’s really going on? What are you missing with your face buried in that smartphone? ..............
Q: What’s the most glaring deficit in the modern human body?
Mark: A lack of physical touch. Humans are social animals, as people often like to say. social contact between humans should not be sterile and stand-offish. Most social animals spend much of their days touching other members of their group. They sleep together, groom each other, wrestle with each other, and sniff each other. They need constant physical touch, and, because they’re not beholden to social norms, they get to satisfy that need.
Humans are also social animals who need physical touch, but social contact between humans tends to be sterile and stand-offish. It’s too bad, because physical touch has immense physical and mental benefits. Quite literally, the welcome touch of another person – a hug, a kiss, a massage – enacts beneficial changes in gene expression at the molecular level, changes that reduce stress, release oxytocin, and lower inflammation. Babies who experience “touch deficit” have disrupted growth hormone, stress hormone, and bonding hormone secretion.
When you see your friends, hug them. Dads, hug your children. Pet owners, pet your dog and scratch your cat behind the ears. After all, you’re their family, and they may not have another outlet for touch.
Oh, and people: have sex. Often, and with someone you care about. Sex feels good, strengthens bonds, improves our immune system, and may even boost growth in the neurocampus.
Q: What is one quick tip that anyone can do to better align the expectations of their genes with the realities of modern life?
Mark: Make the effort to really disconnect from electronic stimulation at least twice a day. .......................
Q: What don’t we get enough of, and why is it such a problem?
Mark: Play. People don’t play enough......................
Mark Sisson’s new book The Primal Connection was released today. Visit MarksDailyApple.com to see how you can get a bunch of free gifts for ordering a copy today.
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