When it comes to feeling bad, some of us have a hard time identifying which “bad” we are feeling. Researchers at the University of Michigan found that people who were clinically depressed were less able to identify and distinguish among different types of negative emotions such as anger, guilt and frustration. Whether we are depressed or not, it’s hard to automatically know what’s really bothering us. But the researchers believe that making the effort to identify our real emotion can improve our lives. Reason: When we know what’s bothering us, we are closer to identifying the real solution.

The next time that you feel down in the dumps, consider that your negative emotions might be protecting you. Researchers at University of Toronto say that negative feelings (that aren’t very severe or persistent) give people who experience bouts of sadness a chance to take a step back from the world…reflect on their experience…and recover from it. The next time a bad mood keeps you in your pajamas for a few hours, understand that the downtime may actually be making you stronger and more able to face the world.