Questions to Ask Yourself When It Feels Like You’re Under Attack
You have to overcome your brain, which is literally trying to keep you alive
In one way, the trauma you may be feeling from the past 48 hours is a good thing: It means your brain is trying to keep you safe.
We are wired to crave information that has a survival benefit. As our species evolved over roughly 2.5 million years, a laser-like focus on potential dangers helped us avoid death. A Homo sapien who lived 150,000 years ago and focused on, say, how beautiful the trees looked instead of the predator lurking within those trees? They became dinner. His friend who was more enamored with the warmth of the fire instead of the enemy tribe member sneaking in to rob his camp got his skull bashed in.
My book The Comfort Crisis explores how modern comforts and conveniences are linked to some of humanity’s most pressing problems — obesity, chronic disease, depression, anxiety, lack of meaning, etc. — and how engaging with the forms of discomfort our ancestors experienced every day can improve our mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. We evolved in uncomfortable environments, and so we evolved to seek comfort. We instinctively default to safety, warmth, extra food, and minimal effort.
