Someone once told me something thought provoking - we as a species have never spent so much time away from touching the ground, it's almost as if it is lava.

We spend 1/3 of the day sleeping in beds, raised off the floor, sometimes in apartments 10s of metres away from the ground.

We spend 1/3 of the day working in artificial offices, sat on chairs, 10s of metres away from the ground.

The other 1/3 of the day we may be sat in cars/ other transport raised from the ground, sat at tables, sat on our sofas, in our flats doing chores etc. Even if we are walking from A to B, if you are a city dweller, you're probably still walking on tarmac separated with the rubber soles on your shoes.

He then asked when the last time I touched grass or soil with the soles of my feet (or even with my hands). At the time it was about April in London, so just coming out of winter. I think the last time I had honestly walked barefoot on grass/soil was possibly September - and I LOVE the outdoors, go running/ hiking often, very active lifestyle etc.

We have grown so far away from how we evolved, so quickly, and most of us are completely unaware of it. So yes, I ditto your comment - modern society, its stimulus and it's constant FOMO orientation, is absolutely causing our issues today.

I couldn't afford to buy a property in London with a garden to address this issue, so subsequently moved up to North Leeds. I now ensure I am outside in my bare feet at least once or twice a week regardless of the weather. This morning I spent five minutes walking through a stream barefoot to the base of a local waterfall, listening to the birds, playing with my dog, feeling the nature, and wow do I feel happy and focused today as a result. Megacity life if killing us.