The consequences of modern life on health are well known: stress, fatigue, isolation, overweight, hypertension, diabetes, cancers... The causes are (almost) just as well known: poor diet, tobacco, alcohol, sedentary lifestyle, excessive digital use... To help you take back control of your life, coaches of all kinds offer their solutions. While the quality of this advice varies, it is almost always limited to a single aspect, such as diet or exercise... We offer you a set of information and advice to regain control of your life. You can pick and choose according to your needs, improve your sports performance or disconnect from screens, for example.
A BRIEF REMINDER OF OUR BIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONING:
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that enables communication within the nervous system and directly influences behavior. It is defined as the hormone of immediate pleasure, in response to instant stimulation.
Serotonin is another neurotransmitter that primarily acts on mood regulation, appetite, libido, body temperature, sleep/wake alternation, and alertness.
WE CAN CONSIDER THAT:
dopamine = immediate pleasure
serotonin = feeling of happiness
The brain can become desensitized to excitatory neurotransmitters like dopamine (which accelerate the body's functioning), but not to inhibitory neurotransmitters like serotonin (which slow down the body's functioning).
Time spent in front of screens (social media, series, video games, pornography...)
Use of substances (alcohol, cannabis, tobacco, medications...)
These behaviors create a new form of sedentary lifestyle for humans. We spend several hours sitting each day and no longer make particular physical effort. The consequences of these addictions are negative for brain function.
HERE ARE THE MAIN ONES:
Decreased motivation and willpower
Reduced attention and concentration capacity
Difficulty or impossibility to project oneself in the medium and long term
Isolation and loneliness
Deterioration of relationships with others
Decrease in serotonin levels (see above)
Loss of meaning in life
Increased risk of depression or suicide
Multiple health problems
Financial problems
Far from considering that we should live like our ancestors, I think we need to combine the best of both worlds and establish certain habits:
Practice physical activity, Eat healthily (relearn the basics)
Limit screen time
Stop/control consumption of addictive substances, Talk and live with those around you
Consciously limit consumption of goods (intellectual obesity)