Our mind and body was not designed to live in this modern world. The manner in which our body automatically responds to our environment is evidence to this. Through greater understanding of human physiology we can achieve greater understanding of how to live holistically in a world of technology and constant innovation.

Our body contains the autonomic nervous system, a response unit in our body that allows us to “automatically” respond to certain stimuli. This system is divided into the two separate divisions: the sympathetic nervous system, and the parasympathetic nervous system.

The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is known as the “fight or flight” response.This system allows the human animal to respond appropriately to a stressful situation, much like we would if we encountered a predator in the forest. We either fight, or run away. This acute response triggers a hormonal cascade, designed at giving our body energy to perform movement. In other words, our body instinctually reacts to a stressful event.

Days of avoiding predators in our modern day are few and far between, but stress is as prevalent as ever. Our stress today may be of a more chronic nature, rather than acute, but the physiological response to stress is the same. A stressful event gives us energy to perform movement, raising our blood glucose. What happens if we are in a state of chronic stress? Our body is constantly being given energy to react. What happens if we don’t perform movement in response to stress? Same thing that happens when you eat a whole bunch of food and do nothing. Weight gain is inevitable, adrenal fatigue can occur, and metabolic syndrome can follow.

Stress isn’t all that bad though. Acute stress, meaning short-term, is extremely beneficial, as it will trigger an adaptive response. It will strengthen our antioxidant responses, and improve heart and blood vessel function. Our body is prepared to handle acute stress, such as exercise. However, our body needs to be in a state best prepared to handle such stress. Well rested, healthy, and given proper nutrition.

The parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) is known as the “rest and digest” response. This system allows the human animal to activate vital processes of their body to include the digestive, reproductive, and endocrine systems. During activation of the PNS, the majority of our blood flow moves toward these vital organs, and a hormonal cascade occurs designed to relax the mind and body. This system has allowed the human animal to assimilate nutrients, sleep properly in order to repair and grow muscle, and reproduce without dysfunction.

Have you ever wondered why there is a prevalence of upset stomachs, sleeplessness, and sexual dysfunction? Our bodies are in a constant state of chronic stress, and we spend far too few hours in a state of relaxation or what is called “parasympathetic tone”. This leads to a rise in the hormone cortisol, leading to weight gain, insulin resistance, and nerve damage.

An upset stomach is just the tip of the iceberg. What about the prevalence of type II diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease? Due to modern technology, man has removed himself from the natural evolutionary order.  The human animal has become a sedentary creature, feasting on artificial and processed foods.  We have de-evolved – living in a manner not consistent with our instinctual physiological responses.

The solution to this problem is Upstream Living. Finding the source of the problem and address it.

Let’s take a common ailment amongst our population: High-blood pressure, or hypertension.

• Downstream: Medication, such as ACE inhibitors or Diuretics
• Upstream: Diet and Exercise, or more specifically controlling one’s sodium levels

It is important to note the importance of transition. The success of Upstream thinking is the ability to find ways to transition from Downstream to Upstream. In the case with hypertension, you cannot simply take a patient off their medications and say, “go exercise”. They are likely to have a sharp rise in blood pressure and could die. Thus, it is finding a slow transition that is key.

More often than not our answers to life problems exist in nature, our original environment. Upstream thinking can often allow us to find the source of unneeded stress in our lives and solve the problem, allowing room for us to find more periods of relaxation.

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Authors

• Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers – Robert M. Sapolsky, W.H. Freeman 1998
  Sapolsky takes the reader into the physiology of the human animal, and expresses the science as to why the modern man is suffering from disease and comorbidities in today’s world.

• The Cortisol Connection – Shawn Talbott, Hunter House Publishers 2002
  A necessary stress hormone, cortisol is what allows us to react to stress whether that is a lion in the jungle or dozens of unanswered emails. This book provides the reader with a better understanding as to the physiologically response to stress, and how to control it.

• Lights Out: Sleep, Sugar, and Survival – T.S. Wiley, Atria 2001
  Put simply, sleep is a powerful thing, and sugar is the enemy. This book provides the science as to the enormous health benefits to adequate sleep, in addition to tips for the constantly wired and sleepless. Our dependence on sugar and refined carbohydrates is discussed, and means to avoid and replace them.

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Sites we like

• The Daily Green www.thedailygreen.com
  Offering daily suggestions and dialogue concerning the impact of our modern lifestyle on our environment.

• Tree Hugger www.treehugger.com
  This eco-friendly website has many tips for the modern human to stay “green” in his or her environment.

• Journal Menu www.journalmenu.com
  Established by Upstream Trainer Evan Saint Clair, and his wife Erica, Journal Menu is a Boston based company that offers comprehensive workout logbooks for any athlete. The logbooks can be personalized to fit the needs of the individual, or made for groups such as a local Crossfit. Documenting your training is an important and responsible element for any athlete, regardless of ability.

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Eco-tips

Our ecological footprint is enormous. Pollution and overconsumption is a problem; Upstream thinking provides the answers. We need to address the root of the problem. Our ecological footprint can be minimized through thinking Upstream and by staying consistent to the following phrase “reduce-reuse-recycle-repurpose”.

• Reduce
  We need to reduce our carbon footprint on this earth. What sort of trail do you leave behind? How much trash do you produce? How much gas does your car consume? Our earth has limited resources, of which will be exhausted sooner if we are not mindful of the impact we have. A change can occur everyday. Next time you are at the store, notice the amount of packaging on the product you are about to purchase, and perhaps choose the one with less. A great example to reduce ones carbon footprint: Use metal water bottles. Plastic water containers are everywhere, and purchased at gas stations, supermarkets, almost everywhere. They create an enormous amount of waste. Also, plastic water bottles were designed to be used once, as you use them more the chemicals from the bottle will leach into your water.

• Reuse
  So many household and daily items for use can be reused rather than simply thrown away. Why use something once when you could use it multiple times. Not only does it help minimize our ecological footprint, but saves us money. For example: 
  • Using your own bags for grocery use at Whole Foods allows you a small discount off your purchase.
  • Using reusable food containers will allow you to save money on purchasing plastic and paper bags. Make sure to use glass containers, as those plastic containers contain toxins that can contaminate your food.
• Recycle
  Almost anything can be recycled. And to be honest, most things you can’t recycle you could probably do without.

Bostons List of recyclable materials!!

• Repurpose
  Many things that seem like trash can often be used for some other purpose. Furniture is a great example. Old furniture can be turned into other items. For example, in our home we have an old barn door that was converted into a mirror. Before you simply toss something away, take a second look and see if you can find a purpose for it.

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