Nature versus Nurture (…or genetics versus epigenetics)

The great question that has perplexed scientists and psychologists for many a decade is what is more powerful between nature versus nurture. Nature versus nurture is simply another way of expressing the genetics versus epigenetics dichotomy. 

Nature (our hard-coded genes) is largely responsible for certain aspects of our physiology (eye, skin, and hair colour, etc.), mannerisms, and facial and bodily expressions - what I call the more superficial aspects of ourselves.

It also provides the propensity for the more substantial aspects of ourselves - our height, weight, personality, vitality, physical and mental illness, conditions or disease, as well as emotional resilience. However, this propensity does not necessarily become your destiny. It is nurture (from parents, teachers, peers, and ultimately self-nurture, aka self-care across the 8 foundations of health)  that has the  most influence and "final say" over your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. You might have a genetic predisposition to a certain physiological state or emotional or mental condition, chronic illness, or degenerative disease, but it is epigenetics (your lifestyle choices) that switch that gene on or off or dials the ‘volume’ of it up or down.

In essence, nurture can overcome just about everything.

This is a hugely empowering way to live your life because, as you grow up and make decisions for yourself, it is your choices and mindset that ultimately influence the quality of your life. 

This theme was teased out in the documentary film "Three Identical Strangers" (2018), which I recently watched on Netflix, which tells the astonishing true story of 3 identical triplets separated at birth, who discovered each other at age 19. Being uncannily similar in their youth, it was their upbringing together with their life choices that led them down very different paths in their maturing years.

Love Soulla xx