Bad Things That Are Good for You

Sure it sucks when bills pile up and you bomb an office presentation but, hey, it really does build character. Researchers recently found that those who dealt with a moderate amount of adversity in their lifetime displayed a more stable sense of well-being compared to those who never faced difficult situations. The reasoning is simple: Brain systems (including the stress system) are like muscles—they get stronger when they’re used and deteriorate when they’re not.