Sir, There is not one atom of objectively verifiable evidence proving 21st-century life is more stressful that at any other time in recorded history (letter, Feb 12).
Further, the extreme reactivity of the body’s autonomic nervous system — the physicochemical complex responsible for the instantaneous “fight or flight” reflex — remains undulled by sedentary lifestyles. Indeed, it might be argued that we remain physiologically more suited to the short and brutish life of Neanderthal man.
Robert Randell
London SE26