The Science of Heritage and Wellness: Why your DNA Holds the Key to a Healthier Life

Health is often viewed as a product of diet, exercise, and medical care and rightly so, however, emerging research suggests that our genetic heritage and cultural history also influence our overall well-being.

Well-being is multifaceted, meaning it encompasses our mental, physical, social, and emotional health. Heritage contributes to this by shaping personal experiences, fostering social connections, and improving the quality of our living environments.

The Intersection of Health, Heritage, and DNA

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease.”

In 2020, WHO expanded on this idea,, emphasizing that health and well-being are influenced by a range of biomedical, psychosocial, social, economic and environmental factors, which affect individuals in different ways throughout their lives.

This suggests that health is a dynamic and evolving state, shaped by both personal circumstances and broader societal and cultural influences.

Addressing well-being, therefore, requires a holistic approach, one that considers not just medical interventions but also social policies, economic conditions, and cultural contexts that impact people's lives over time.

The Role of Genetics in Health and Well-Being

For decades, scientists have studied the role of genetics in shaping health outcomes. The set point or homeostatic theory suggests that each person has a biologically determined baseline level of wellness, heavily influenced by genetic factors. 

While lifestyle choices can impact overall well-being, DNA plays a crucial role in determining how individuals respond to stress, disease, and environmental influences. For example, some people have genetic predispositions that make them more resilient to stress, while others may be more susceptible to mental health challenges.

Understanding these genetic markers can help individuals make informed lifestyle choices tailored to their unique needs, ultimately promoting better health and well-being.

Research in epigenetics suggests that ancestral experiences can influence gene expression, meaning that the cultural and environmental habits of our ancestors continue to shape our health today.

According to Frontline Genomics, epigenetic inheritance has been linked to risks of obesity, diabetes, and schizophrenia. 

Similarly, traditional diets rooted in ancestral eating patterns often align with the nutritional needs of specific genetic groups, reinforcing the idea that genetic and cultural history can guide personalized health choices.

Maintaining strong cultural ties has also been linked to better mental health, lower stress levels, and a stronger sense of purpose. The Heritage Alliance highlights initiatives like Operation Nightingale and Human Henge which use archaeology, historic site visits, and cultural activities to aid mental health recovery.

These programs, designed for war veterans and individuals with PTSD, have boosted confidence, social skills, and emotional resilience.

Other heritage-based activities such as bell ringing, yoga at historic sites, and outdoor exploration have been found to reduce stress, enhance cognitive function, and promote emotional balance, according to Historic England.

This suggests that the past is not just something to remember, but also something to experience for healing and growth.

How Heritage Contributes to Wellness

Heritage contributes to wellness in several key ways:

1. Identity and Sense of Belonging

   
   

Engaging with heritage strengthens self-esteem, fosters a sense of belonging, and deepens personal and community identity. Understanding one’s cultural roots helps individuals connect with their history, creating a shared narrative that reinforces social belonging.

2. Therapeutic Effects

   
   

Heritage-based therapies, such as reminiscence therapy using historical materials, have been shown to benefit older adults and individuals with mental health conditions. These approaches can improve memory, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life.

3. Experience-Driven Benefits and Cultural Engagement

Beautiful historic environments have a positive impact on mood, enhancing life satisfaction and encouraging social interactions. Visiting heritage sites and participating in cultural activities can boost psychological well-being, fostering a deeper connection to both personal and collective history.

4. Social Integration

Heritage spaces serve as community hubs, providing opportunities for social interaction, reducing loneliness, and strengthening support networks. By bringing people together, these spaces help build resilient and connected communities.

Heritage as Preventative Healthcare

As modern healthcare shifts toward preventative and holistic approaches, heritage is emerging as a key component. For instance, The UK government’s growing support for social prescribing, where doctors recommend cultural and heritage activities instead of medication, underscores the therapeutic potential of engaging with one’s past. Rather than relying solely on pharmaceutical treatments, more people are finding relief in heritage-focused interventions.

Whether it’s participating in an archaeological dig, visiting ancestral lands, or learning traditional crafts, these activities contribute to overall wellness by stimulating the mind, fostering social bonds, and promoting physical activity.

Challenges to Heritage and Well-Being

Despite its benefits, heritage faces several challenges that threaten its role in well-being:

• Destruction of heritage: 

  
  

  Acts of war, terrorism, and environmental disasters, such as earthquakes and wildfires, can lead to irreversible loss of cultural landmarks and traditions.

  
  

• Colonialism and heritage erasure:

  
  

  Some governments have historically altered or erased heritage to weaken community identity and suppress self-governance efforts.

  
  

• Controversial monuments:

  
  

  Certain historical monuments celebrate oppressive histories (e.g., Confederate statues in the U.S.), sparking debates about their removal and the ethics of preservation.

  
  

• Sustainability issues:

  
  

  Tourism and development threaten heritage preservation, while community-led heritage conservation efforts often struggle with funding and official recognition.

Conclusion

Wellness is not just about individual choices, it is deeply rooted in the connections between our genetics, history, and environment.

By embracing both scientific insights and cultural heritage, we adopt a more holistic approach to health, one that sees the past not merely as something to remember but as something to actively experience.

Whether through genetic research, reconnecting with ancestral traditions, or engaging in heritage projects, individuals can integrate heritage into daily wellness practices.

The more we understand about where we come from, the better prepared we are to build a healthier, more fulfilling future.

Sources

• Everill, P., & Burnell, K., eds., Archaeology, Heritage, and Wellbeing: Authentic, Powerful, and Therapeutic Engagement with the Past (Routledge, 2022).

  
  

• Taçon, P.S.C., & Baker, S., “New and Emerging Challenges to Heritage and Well-being: A Critical Review,” Griffith Centre for Social and Cultural Research, Griffith University, 2019. Available at ScienceDirect.

  
  

• The Heritage Alliance, The Heritage Debates: Is Heritage Good for Your Health?, 2017. Available at heritagealliance.org.uk.

  
  

• UCL Institute for Critical Heritage Studies, Heritage and Wellbeing. Available at ucl.ac.uk.

  
  

• World Health Organization, Health 2020: A European Policy Framework and Strategy for the 21st Century, WHO Regional Office for Europe, 2013. Available at who.int.

  
  

• Historic England, Research Shows Heritage Boosts Your Wellbeing. Available at historicengland.org.uk.

  
  

• National Academy for Social Prescribing, Evidence for Heritage. Available at socialprescribingacademy.org.uk.

  
  

• Frontline Genomics, Epigenetics and Ancestry: How Our History Shapes Who We Are. Available at frontlinegenomics.com.