Western culture is responsible for more than its fair share of good. Scientific progress, the widespread adoption of free thought, respect for human rights — these (and many other) positive elements have thrived in countries that espouse Western values.
There are drawbacks to the Western way of life, however, particularly when it comes to human health and wellbeing. This article will outline some of the deleterious effects that a Western lifestyle might have on your body, then describe some of the changes you might want to make to mitigate them.
Defining the “Western Lifestyle”
The phrase “Western lifestyle” conjures up different images for different people, so before jumping into health impacts, we should start by defining our terms.
Most commonly, a Western lifestyle refers to the life and health practices common in countries influenced by Western culture, values, and thought, such as the United States and Canada. These practices might include chronic overwork, a lack of physical activity, overuse of chemical cleaners, and an overprescription of antibiotics and other drugs.
A Westen lifestyle also includes typical dietary choices. More often than not, a Western diet is high-fat, high-sugar, and includes a lot of processed foods. Together, these factors can lead to several poor health outcomes, which we’ll cover next.
Negative Health Consequences of Western Living
Over time, the Western way of life can take its toll on the human mind and body. The following are some of the profound ways in which the most common Western diets and lifestyle choices might negatively impact your health and wellbeing.
Excessive Stress and Anxiety
Most estimates rank North American and Western countries, like Mexico, the United States, and Poland, as some of the most overworked in the world. Such a heavy emphasis on work at all costs, without adequate time for relaxation, contributes heavily to the constant state of stress and anxiety many people who live in these countries feel.
Stress, in turn, can wreak havoc on your body. Common symptoms of stress include high blood pressure, a lack of energy, unintended weight gain, and the worsening of other health problems you might have (like emotional problems and immune conditions).
What’s more is that, for many younger residents of Western countries, stress and its effects are multiplied due to various economic struggles they’ve had to face so early in life. The quarter-life crisis has affected many young Westerners, leading to higher rates of depression and other mental health woes.
Gastrointestinal and Weight Issues
Because of its high fat content, the Western diet is responsible for disrupting the balance of bacteria living within your digestive system. With the ratio of “good” gut bacteria to “bad” gut bacteria out of balance, you may become more susceptible to disorders like diabetes and heart disease, along with inflammation in other parts of the body.
The negative effects of the Western diet go even further. While on the job, many Western workers have a difficult time making healthy food choices. This, combined with the general lack of physical activity in Western societies, often leads to obesity. From there, you might develop any number of related health issues and chronic medical conditions.
Lack of Adequate Medical Care
The negative health consequences of Western lifestyles are compounded by the inadequate primary health care systems of countries like the United States.
An estimated 79 million Americans are grappling with medical debt at present. Tens of millions of Americans are either uninsured or have insurance so poor that it barely covers anything. These factors have contributed to a lack of adults receiving preventive health care that could catch certain maladies before they progress.
As a result, many people suffer from ailments that would otherwise have been preventable. Meanwhile, the nations they live in have to pay more to treat them when their health conditions eventually spiral out of control.
Counteracting the Effects of a Western Lifestyle
For all its potential woes, the ways to counteract the negative effects of a Western lifestyle are theoretically simple and boil down to prioritizing self-care.
Watching what you eat, for instance, can help you limit complications from chronic conditions like GERD, and avoid many of the other consequences of a high-fat and sugar diet. Coupling this with controlling the amount that you eat can help combat obesity and reduce your chances of developing harmful, weight-related health issues.
Getting more exercise will help two-fold. First, by improving your physical condition and lowering your risk for heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and more. Secondly, though, regular physical activity helps boost your mental condition, making it easier to control depression, anxiety, and the ill-effects that come with both.
Finally, prioritizing your own mental health, stress control, and relaxation will help make you both more resilient and resistant. Be sure to learn a few stress management techniques that work for you, and, if you need to, find someone you can talk about your troubles with, if for no other reason than to get them off your chest.
Wrapping Up
The standard Western lifestyle and diet can lead to all kinds of health problems, but you can counteract these dangerous negative effects. Put your health first by changing your diet, getting some exercise, and learning to cope with stress and anxiety.
While you might not be able to avoid all the trappings of Western living, learning to prioritize your health will help you mitigate the risks and greatly improve the overall quality of your life
