Being gloomy is good for you

Just think of the grump in your life, the type that sees more bears in the road than trees in a forest, that one. You come up with a nice idea, and that person already starts to grumble and sigh before you've even said boo or bah. We all know them. The doom thinkers, the grumpy ones (that's how you deal with it if you're that way today); not exactly the lighthearted among us.

The fact is that they get depressed faster, not really a good sign. But what turns out? Being gloomy, seeing bears, it's also good for you. In a world where everything works, can, and is allowed, it's beneficial if you're somewhat pessimistic by nature. At least, that's what Swedish philosopher Ida Hallgren claims, who teaches courses on pessimism. A pessimist can handle setbacks better, has a plan B ready if A doesn't work out, and is happier when something does succeed. You might wonder what all that happiness is good for, huh? I would almost wish you a gloomy day, but I'm too optimistic for that.

Source: AD