Review Detail

Whether you’re a pessimist or an optimist, scientists discovered that it’s the circuitry in your brain that colors your perception of the world and drives your actions. A pessimist sees the downside of life, and is more inclined to be timid, take few risks and hold back from succeeding. An optimist sees the upside, and behaves in an adventurous, upbeat, sociable manner, believing in the best possible outcome. All of us are a combination of both, but we are dominated by either our rainy or sunny brain activity. Studies confirm that optimists have more positive experiences, while pessimists experience one bad thing after another. Whether we have a sunny or rainy disposition determines our state of well-being, our success in life and our impact on others.

Psychologist and neuroscientist Elaine Fox has long studied the science behind why we are the way we are, and in Rainy Brain, Sunny Brain, she explains it all, supported by the studies which confirm our “affective mindset.” She describes techniques that will change your brain—from cognitive behavior therapy to mindfulness meditation—and highlights the experiences of people who are either rainy or sunny, and how they respond to whatever the universe throws their way.