You have definitely got something there. Our ancestors are the closest thing to ourselves that has ever been and we are the culmination of the best of them. I say the best because only the best( In evolutionary terms) would have survived and reproduced. Therefore It makes perfect sense to absorb our own cultural history as it has been tailor made for us. My ancestry is Celtic. There are many things we can learn from other cultures but we seem to have been conditioned by society not to embrace our own history.
I always follow nature and our ancient and primal instincts must be controlled but not ignored or forgotten. Real men and women are forged in fire. Hardship and dedication are the best way, like you say hedonism leads to depression. We are simply not designed to have it easy. We need the fight that's what fuels the fire, and the fire is the spice of life.