by
Pam Killeen
July 10, 2024
Traditional Diets and Ancestral Wisdom
While the work of researchers who discovered the connection between a traditional foods diet and health is important, there are certainly other factors that contribute to our overall well-being. I’m not suggesting that we will be healthy if we subsist solely on potato chips. I firmly believe in the benefits of a diet that mirrors that of our ancestors. However, it’s equally important to embrace the other aspects of their lifestyle, especially their love for the outdoors.
The Wrongful Demonization of the Sun
A few decades ago, advertising campaigns began demonizing the sun, leading to a widespread fear of sun exposure. Consumers started making every effort to block themselves from the sun by slathering on toxic suntan lotions, wearing caps and sunglasses, or hiding indoors. Our ancestors would be baffled by this behavior.
The Consequences of an Indoor Lifestyle
Since we have been depriving ourselves of fresh air and sunshine, there’s no doubt we’ve become sicker for it. Recent research reveals that indoor air is often more toxic than outdoor air. Not only that, this indoor lifestyle has distanced us from simple, natural habits that contribute significantly to our health.
In our Fast New World, we’ve lost touch with these simple, health-promoting practices. With so much conflicting health advice, some people find themselves overwhelmed and discouraged. Instead of adopting healthy outdoor habits, many have become trapped in the prison of indoor living and the hypnotizing allure of screens—televisions, cell phones, computers—along with artificial light.
Making Changes Necessary for Better Health
As I often say, people might need to be sick enough for long enough before they take the steps necessary to get well. While healing can require a lot of discipline, people need both motivation and accurate information that will truly help them improve their health.
Our ancestors didn’t need to learn these habits; they intuitively knew that fresh air and sunshine were vital to health. They also understood the healing properties of grounding their bare feet to the earth. In stark contrast to our lifestyle, they lived in harmony with Mother Nature, without many barriers between themselves and the natural world.
A Balanced Approach to Sun Exposure
Now, I’m not suggesting that everyone spend too much time out in the sun and burn their skin. It’s important to slowly build up your tolerance for the sun. Make sure you slowly and gradually expose yourself to the sun so that you don’t burn. Overcoming sun phobia might take some time. But eventually, you will enjoy the benefits of sun exposure.
To truly embrace a holistic approach to health, we need to go beyond just nutrition. Embracing a traditional diet is a fantastic start, but we must also reconnect with the simple, natural practices that our ancestors intuitively followed. Spending time outdoors, basking in the sunlight, and breathing in fresh air can have profound impacts on our overall well-being.
Living in Harmony with Nature
Remember, our ancestors thrived by living in harmony with nature. By re-adopting these practices, we can reclaim the health and vitality we all deserve. One simple step towards better health is to spend more time outdoors. Instead of fearing the sun, embrace its healing properties and enjoy the benefits of feeling the earth beneath your feet. Improving your health may require stepping outside your comfort zone, but the long-term benefits will be well worth it!
Pam Killeen is a health coach and nutritional consultant with nearly forty years of experience helping people restore the foundations of their health. Her own recovery from chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and multiple chemical sensitivities shaped the approach she teaches today. She co-authored Dr. Joseph Mercola’s New York Times bestseller The Great Bird Flu Hoax and is the author of Addiction: The Hidden Epidemic and Survival of the Unfittest. She is the creator of the Circadian Reboot and Truth Over Spin podcasts.
Her new book, Parasites and the Terrain: How Circadian Rhythm, Sunlight, and Minerals Build Natural Resistance, with a foreword by Dr. Mercola, will be published by Skyhorse Publishing on January 19, 2027. Read more and preorder here.