I stumbled upon a rather odd book in the library last weekend, entitled something strangely personal like 'Why you're a deeply miserable mess and afraid of everything.'

It seemed a little assuming to say the least. However, on reflection I can see why the author thought it okay to make such an observation because, as a nation, we are depressed and downright terrified.

This isn't surprising when you consider the fact that we are bombarded every day with scientific evidence concluding that we are less attractive than we were 50 years ago as well as fatter, smellier and more stupid.

Oh and of course we are all going to die very soon from either a serious illness, obesity, binge drinking or smoking unless we pull our scabby fungal infected socks up.

It seems the scientists are conspiring to make us feel desperate and worried about every aspect of our lives - from the lard laden goop we supposedly consume to the probability of contracting a deadly virus to evidence that we will end up living alone, dribbling into our cornflakes and with only 2.5 friends (including the cat) in the entire world.

But aren't we perhaps just a little over-sensitive? Our grandparents' generation had a bath once a week, coped with epidemics of polio and diphtheria, had to survive on rationing, rarely ate meat and hand stitched blankets FOR FUN.

Yet they were a far happier bunch than we. Maybe because they were healthier both in body and mind or maybe, just maybe because they weren't so self-obsessed. When there are bombs showering your street, freedom as you know it is on the verge of being destroyed and your husband is at war, the possibility that you're not as good looking or as slim as your great great auntie Edna probably doesn't faze you much.

It's rare for a grumpy old woman like me to say this but perhaps it's time to stop listening to the mumbo jumbo, calm our nerves, take a chill pill (yes,the kind that have no side effects in case you were worried) and put on a happy face. Things mightn't be as bad those media hungry lab rats make them seem...