Table of contents:
- What are the benefits of being a pessimist?
- 1. Longer life
- 2. The relationship lasted longer
- 3. Pessimists can also be successful
- 4. Not easily anxious
- So pessimists are fine, but don't overdo it
Many advices and aphorisms emphasize the importance of being an optimist all the time. However, it is not always necessary to avoid pessimism. In fact, a researcher from Germany named Frieder Lang said that the attitude is pessimistic or negative thinking can bring its own benefits for life. He said, one of the benefits of being a pessimist is having a long life. How come?
What are the benefits of being a pessimist?
Pessimism is negative or unfavorable attitudes, thoughts, expectations, and views on something or the result of a process. Many studies have linked negative thinking to health problems such as stress, anxiety and even depression.
Instead, researchers from Germany have found that there are few benefits to being a pessimist. A pessimistic attitude that is still within reasonable limits is very useful for many aspects of life, even when compared to an optimistic person who likes to expect positivity in all situations. Here are some of the benefits that can be obtained from people who have a pessimistic attitude:
1. Longer life
A study found that adults who have low expectations for the future have the potential to be able to enjoy their lives longer and be happier. In fact, Lang says that people who are overly optimistic about predicting the future are more likely to run the risk of being hurt by reality that doesn't work out the way they expected.
Although this research has not yielded a clear cause and effect, Lang estimates that a pessimistic attitude can make people live more vigilantly and cautiously. This also includes taking precautions and safety regarding their lives.
2. The relationship lasted longer
In recent years, several studies have suggested that negative thinking is sometimes necessary, especially when you are in a long-term relationship. Research published in July at Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, said that an overly optimistic attitude can put a bad risk on the marriage relationship.
This is because the optimistic attitude of both parties makes them tend to be indifferent in solving domestic problems. Excessive optimism led the two of them to think that things would work out all right with time. In fact, it will not always be like that. Researchers have also found that couples who try to force themselves to remain positive and think positive when faced with a problem, actually cause one another hurt feelings.
In contrast, researchers say that couples who are pessimistic are more likely to live in harmony because they do not have the expectations and expectations of the relationship that are too high.
3. Pessimists can also be successful
Even though many motivators often tell you to always think positively. In fact, success is not only owned by optimists, pessimists can also live successfully.
Why is that? People who have a pessimistic attitude tend to have a bad idea of what to start with. This makes them even more motivated to always try harder than the efforts of overly confident people. Therefore, they will do more things and ideas that can trigger their success.
4. Not easily anxious
Julie Norem, a psychology professor at Wellesley University, points out that the benefits of being a pessimist can make people less anxious. This attitude shows that the bad results they have in mind can protect them from feeling anxious.
For example, if you have a bad thought such as falling or tripping over in public. Pessimistic people tend to think about what things could prevent bad things from happening. A pessimistic attitude can divert excessive anxiety and worry, so it is not uncommon for those who are pessimistic to tend to be fine in the end.
So pessimists are fine, but don't overdo it
Pessimism does not always end in bad results, neither does optimism. Optimism and pessimism are required for a balanced life. The two can be combined to weigh up and give you realistic reasons to wish for something. At least, through these two attitudes, you can see potential problems and can also learn to enjoy the end result of the attitude you take.
