#1
The planet seems like a very dangerous and hostile place at the moment, with some even arguing that we are heading towards World War III. Richard Shirreff is one of them. The former NATO commander says he “cannot remember a more perilous moment in geopolitics in his lifetime.”
It seems wherever we look, we are faced with negative news - whether it’s the several ongoing conflicts, global warming, natural disasters, economic turmoil or people generally behaving badly. But being exposed to such headlines and content can take a toll on our mental health.
"Being constantly exposed to distressing news can take an emotional toll, even if we’re not directly involved with the events we see," warns the U.K.-based Mental Health Foundation. "In fact, constant exposure can chip away at our mental health over time, leaving us feeling sad and anxious."
The foundation's experts add that constantly consuming negative news is like being exposed to a threat. It triggers the body's stress response (fight, flight, freeze mode). And while this can be useful in situations where our safety is at risk, having that response triggered too much is bad for us.
#4
#6
The sanctuary’s first resident will be Kariba, an elephant captured in Zimbabwe in 1984 and kept in various zoos for over 40 years.
Fortunately, consuming positive news (like the posts features here) can have the opposite effect. Reading, or watching, the "good stuff" triggers dopamine release. In case you're wondering, that's a neurotransmitter associated with feelings of pleasure and reward.
"When we read about very inspiring achievements, uplifting, very good stories, or tales of resilience, our brain interprets this as a rewarding experience, boosting mood and motivation," explain the experts at Insight Mental Wellness.
#7
The law also prohibits their use in circuses and elephant rides, practices long considered ethically problematic.
While chronic exposure to stress-inducing news can elevate cortisol levels, good news does the opposite. It reduces cortisol levels, helping to calm your mind, and restore emotional balance.
In other words, watching rolling coverage of the Iran War can leave you feeling sad, anxious, angry or irritable. But scrolling through a listicle about recycled billboards being turned into dog shelters in Thailand, Norway becoming the first country to achieve zero deforestation, and Amsterdam spending 100,000 Euros on tiny staircases that prevent cats from drowning in canals can bring you joy and hope.
#10
#12
Think of positive news stories as emotional “buffer zones.” We're constantly bombarded with bad news and negativity, but when we read, listen to, or watch really uplifting content, life can feel a bit lighter. We might even feel more capable of coping with any challenges thrown our way.
"Good news reminds us of the potential for positive change, reinforcing resilience in adversity," notes the Insight Mental Wellness site. It adds that this type of content helps shift focus from what’s wrong with the world to what’s going right.
#13
#14
#15
#16
#17
#18
#20
