Sometimes, it’s hard to suppress our inner Debbie Downer.

While everyone succumbs to negative thoughts from time to time, multiple studies reveal that our health, happiness and longevity are dictated by the way we manage our negative attitudes.

According to Psychology Today contributor Professor Preston Ni, chronically unhappy people share persistent negative thinking patterns that produce feelings of powerlessness and overall dissatisfaction. Ni laid out 8 unhappiness-inducing qualities to watch out for, including failing to forgive oneself for past mistakes, making negative assumptions, and blaming others for your woes.

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What do you think tips the scale towards a chronically unhappy disposition?

Is it the the green-eyed beast that emerges when you compare yourself to other, so-called “successful” friends and peers (especially that friend on Facebook)?

Does relentless perfectionism and fear of making mistakes make you a stressed, chronically grumpy type?

Or does unhappiness lie in dwelling on regrets and trash-talking yourself for missed opportunities?

Just plain old “hangriness” does it for me.

Professor Ni makes a solid case for avoiding knee-jerk negativity and changing the way we perceive situations to live a happier life. But what do you think?