news
Indigenous wisdom links planetary and personal health
A new report from the University of Wollongong highlights Indigenous perspectives on health, arguing that human wellbeing is inseparable from the health of the planet. Academic Crystal Arnold emphasizes recognizing Indigenous knowledge as essential for navigating this moment. The report suggests a direct link between environmental degradation and our collective nervous system regulation.
A new report from the University of Wollongong highlights Indigenous perspectives on health, arguing that human wellbeing is inseparable from the health of the planet. Academic Crystal Arnold emphasizes recognizing Indigenous knowledge as essential for navigating this moment. The report suggests a direct link between environmental degradation and our collective nervous system regulation.
The architecture take
I’m seeing more academics — and more people generally — connect the dots between how the planet is doing and how our bodies are doing. This isn't abstract; it's about our nervous systems. When the world feels unstable, when ecosystems are disrupted, that stress lands in our bodies. It's a constant, low-level threat signal that keeps us in a state of chronic activation. This report, led by Crystal Arnold, isn't just a nod to 'nature is good for you.' It's a deeper point: Ignoring ecological health is like ignoring a constantly-on alarm bell for our cortisol, vagal tone, and baseline anxiety. My take? True health, the kind that lets your nervous system actually relax, might not be possible without a stable, thriving environment. We need to pay attention to who actually knows how to live in sync with the land.