Feature Psychology

The bright side of sadness

Bad moods can have unappreciated mental upsides

Evidence suggests that gloomy moods improve key types of thinking and behavior.

Vertes Edmond Mihai/Shutterstock

By Bruce Bower

- More than 2 years ago

Thomas Jefferson defended the right to pursue happiness in the Declaration of Independence. But that’s so 237 years ago. Many modern societies champion everyone’s right to be happy pretty much all the time.