"The need to be and feel safe is a deep, driving force of all life. However, it is not by any means a given that you'll be safe. Life is competitive, and living creatures are always on alert. Dolphins and whales sleep with one eye open. Many animals live in caves or burrows. Horses and giraffes can sleep standing up. Countless creatures communicate warning signals and form groups to defend themselves against predators."
"We humans share the same basic needs of sheltering and defending ourselves from external threats. One trait that sets us dramatically apart from other species is language. While language extends our communication skills far beyond those of other species, it also creates an extra level of complexity and vulnerability. Your body's alert system is like a personal brain scanner, and it cannot be turned off."
Survival reactions exist to signal danger and are intentionally unpleasant to motivate protection. Resisting these reactions intensifies them and triggers unwanted thoughts. Repeated exposure and acceptance of unpleasant sensations train the brain to become less reactive, causing those sensations to diminish. The human need for safety is fundamental, yet environmental threats make constant vigilance necessary across species. Language expands human awareness but adds complexity and vulnerability. The nervous system continuously scans for threat and will shift worry to new problems even after specific issues are solved. The four core survival responses always begin with anxiety and serve to preserve life.
Read at Psychology Today
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