Anxiety is a growing problem in modern society and that has led experts to delve into the reasons behind our modern plight. Turns out that we, alongside pretty much all other creatures, are supposed to be scared most of the time. In the wild, a slightly jittery nature will probably serve you well. It's nice to be a bit laid back, just chill out and watch the world go by, but it's that kind of behaviour that gets you eaten by a jaguar in the real world. Our natures have been conditioned over millions of years to remain vigilant and poised and obey our instincts to clean, save, behave and keep track of the rest of the herd. In the animal kingdom, most animals live tense, dangerous, short lives, essentially spending most of their waking hours in a state of mild panic. Fast forward to our safer, warmer, lighter, happier, more secure modern world and these instincts haven't gone away, they just no longer appear to fit with our new reality. Because we no longer have anything to fear, our natural instinct for fear isn't channelled, dealt with or even recognised as fear, and panic can frequently set in. So, next time you're feeling on edge, remember that it's just you brain trying to keep you safe from tigers. Want to write for WhatCulture Science? Click here to find out how you could get paid to write about what you love.Hey, you. Yeah, you. You want some more science? Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for your next fix.
