Alex Reijnierse on Harmonizing Ancestral Calm with Modern Life

Chronic stress has become a familiar companion in our fast-paced, tech-driven world. But what if we could borrow some wisdom from our ancestors to help us find calm? By tapping into practices from our evolutionary past, you can rediscover a natural resilience to stress.

The Science of Stress and How It Affects Us

When you’re stressed, your body automatically triggers the “fight or flight” response, which is great in dangerous situations. But when stress becomes a constant companion, it can lead to all kinds of issues—headaches, insomnia, heart disease, and even depression. Our ancestors faced their own stresses, but their environment helped them stay more balanced. So, what can we learn from the way they lived?

The 3D Framework: An Easy Way to Manage Stress

Let’s dive into what I call the “3D Framework”—Detach, Delight, Develop. It’s a simple entry point into managing stress by aligning parts of your lifestyle with ancestral wisdom.

1. Detach: Unplugging from Digital Overload

The first step is to take a break from our digital world. You don’t need to go off the grid entirely, but setting aside regular time to step away from your screens can do wonders for your mental health.

You might start by:

• Weekend digital detox: Unplug for a day or two, turn off notifications, and spend time doing things you enjoy.
• Analog mornings: Delay checking devices until after morning routines like exercise or journaling.
• Tech-free meals: Focus on your food and the people you’re with, instead of scrolling through your phone.

The key is to start small. Try out what works for you and gradually build up more screen-free time.

2. Delight: Finding Joy in Offline Activities

Once you’ve detached from tech, it’s time to fill that space with activities that bring you joy. Maybe it’s reading a good book, going for a walk in nature, or cooking a meal from scratch without distractions. Here are a few ideas:

• Reading: Get lost in a novel or explore non-fiction that interests you.
• Exercise: Whether it’s yoga, running, or dancing, moving your body can lift your spirits.
• Exploring new places: Take a walk through a neighborhood you’ve never been to or try out a new café.

The goal here is to follow your curiosity and let yourself be fully present in whatever brings you happiness.

3. Develop: Strengthening Your Relationships

Finally, focus on building deeper connections with the people around you. In today’s world, it’s easy to let devices get in the way of quality time. But when you put the phone down and fully engage with others, you’ll find your relationships thrive.

Try:

• Phone-free family dinners: Cook together, eat together, and enjoy each other’s company.
• Face-to-face time with friends: Plan activities where you can just be present with each other.
• Playtime and reading with little ones: Gaze into their eyes, focus on their voices.

You’ll be amazed at how much more connected you feel when you invest in your relationships without distractions.

Rediscovering Calm in a Modern World

Chronic stress doesn’t have to be the norm. By taking a page from our ancestors, you can start incorporating simple but powerful habits into your daily life. The 3D framework—Detach, Delight, Develop—is a great way to begin. From there, see what other practices resonate with you, like spending time in nature or getting better sleep.

What’s your favorite way to unplug and recharge? I’d love to hear what works for you!

If you are curious to learn more about stress management, the paleo way, I invite you to join me on my website: https://paleostressmanagement.com/, or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paleostressmanagement.

Alex Reijnierse is a stress management expert with over a decade of experience in helping individuals effectively manage and reduce stress. He holds a Master of Science (MSc) and has a background in high-pressure environments, which has given him firsthand experience in dealing with chronic stress.