Why Are Humans Getting Sicker? A Holistic Perspective on the Rise of Chronic Illness in the Last 50 Years
Have you ever asked yourself this question: Is it just me, or are humans getting sicker?
When I was growing up, it was uncommon to see children struggling with complex health issues. We had our seasonal colds, a broken bone here and there, or the typical childhood chicken pox virus, and that was about it. Serious, chronic, or multi-layered health conditions were not often part of the everyday.
Yet today, many people (adults and children alike) are managing major health challenges. Conditions are more complex and often require a deeper understanding to navigate effectively.
So what changed?
And what can we do to support healing in a world that looks very different from the one I grew up in 50 years ago?
The World Has Changed, and So Have Our Bodies
Over the last 50 years, our environment, lifestyles, and stress levels have shifted dramatically. While every individual’s health story is unique, several broader patterns have emerged.
1. Increased Stress and Nervous System Overload
Modern life moves faster than our systems were designed to process. Chronic stress from a variety of factors such as: emotional, mental, & environmental, keeps many people in a heightened state of fight-or-flight.
Long periods of stress can influence sleep, hormones, immunity, digestion, and emotional resilience. Over time, this can contribute to the “perfect storm” of long-term health challenges.
2. Greater Exposure to Environmental Toxins
Compared to 50 years ago, we encounter more:
Synthetic chemicals in body and household products
Additives and preservatives in food
Pesticides in soil and produce
Pollutants in the air
Microplastics
Changes in water quality
Our bodies are wise and adaptable, but the sheer quantity of exposures adds up, sometimes faster than we can process or adapt to.
3. Nutrient-Depleted Foods
Even when we eat well, (and stress isn’t impacting our guts ability to digest) modern farming practices have changed the nutrient profile of many foods. This means people can be eating “enough” but not receiving the deeper nourishment the body, mind, and energy systems truly need.
4. Disconnection from Nature, Rest, and Rhythm
Many of us spend more time indoors, more hours on screens, and fewer moments in stillness. This affects circadian rhythms, mood, and emotional well-being, which can contribute to us feeling a sense of disconnection or loss from an unknown source.
5. One-Size-Fits-All Healthcare Approaches
For acute injuries (like broken bones for example) mainstream medicine excels.
For chronic, complex, or some long-standing issues, I notice that many of my clients are feeling that they are not improving with some of these approaches.
Are you stuck in symptom-based approaches without knowing where to look to find the underlying core of your health issues?
This is where holistic healing shines.
Why Individualized Holistic Care Matters More Than Ever
In my 20 years of working as a Holistic Herbalist Practitioner, Reiki Master Teacher, Naturopath, Energy Healer, and Spiritual Mentor, one thing has become clear:
There is no single root cause and no single solution.
Each person carries unique experiences, environments, exposures, emotions, patterns, and energetic imprints.
Your healing journey should honour your whole story, including:
Your physical health history
Your emotional landscape
Your stress levels
Your beliefs, identity and conditioning
Your environment, culture, upbringing, and energetics
When we address only part of the picture, we miss the deeper truth of who you are, and the deeper reasons your body may be asking for help.
A Multi-Layered Approach to Healing
In my Transformation Package, I work with the four primary layers of your being, each contributing & playing a role in your overall wellness.
1. Physical Body Support
Examples of modalities:
Holistic herbalism
Naturopathic principles
Bach Flower remedies
Nutritional and lifestyle guidance
Iridology insights
These help nourish, cleanse, detoxify and support the physical systems that may be under strain.
2. Mental Body Support
Examples of modalities:
Life coaching
Patterns, identity and belief exploration
Mindfulness and awareness practices
These help you understand what thought patterns may be influencing your health or stress responses.
3. Emotional Body Support
Examples of modalities:
Bach Flowers for emotional harmony
Somatic awareness practices
Gentle guided healing conversations
Space to express and process stored emotions
This element creates room for emotional release and deeper clarity.
4. Spiritual & Energetic Body Support
Examples of modalities:
Reiki
Energy healing
Sound bowl frequency healing
Shamanic drum journeys
Astrology and intuitive insights
Channeled messages & light language transmissions
These support your energetic flow, inner alignment, and connection with your soul’s wisdom.
Why Holistic Healing Matters Today More Than Ever
Because we are complex beings living in complex times.
Because health is not only physical, it is emotional, mental, energetic, ancestral, and environmental.
Because every person deserves to feel seen, heard, and supported as the unique soul they are.
And because when all layers of the self are honoured, transformation becomes not only possible, but sustainable.
Your Healing Journey Is Sacred & You Don’t Have to Walk It Alone
If you’re reading this and something inside you is saying yes… this resonates… this is what I’ve been looking for, then I invite you to consider whether deeper, individualized & holistic support may be the next step for you.
In my Transformation Package, I walk beside you to uncover your own wisdom, so we can explore what your body, mind, heart, and spirit truly need to heal.
If you are ready to Transform, you can book Your Transformation Journey here.
If you feel called, I would be honoured to guide you.
Abundant Blessings, Sheryl