Always look on the dark side of life

If you want proof that life is perverse, take the results of a recent study published by the American Psychological Association.  The paper (PDF link), "Psychology and Aging --  Forecasting Life Satisfaction Across Adulthood: Benefits of Seeing a Dark Future?" says that optimistic older adults face a greater risk of disabilities and death.

According to lead author, Frieder R. Lang, PhD, of the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg in Germany.

"Pessimism about the future may encourage people to live more carefully, taking health and safety precautions."

Because a darker outlook on the future is often more realistic, older adults' predictions of their future satisfaction may be more accurate, according to the study. In contrast, the youngest group had the sunniest outlook while the middle-aged adults made the most accurate predictions, but became more pessimistic over time.