It's official: Good news can boost your mental health
Did you know that good news can boost your mental health? I guess we all suspected that, but now it's been backed up by research. A study by the Nieman Foundation's Nieman Journalism Lab has concluded that seeing stories of kindness can counteract the negative effects of consuming bad news. 🧠+🥰
Social media, in particular, puts bad news at our fingertips 24-7, and a study found that consuming negative content for even a few minutes can adversely affect your mood. But the foundation's most recent investigation revealed that looking at positive stories, especially those featuring acts of kindness, can turn that frown upside down, creating a sense of well-being despite the bad news that can seem overwhelming. So, as we already knew here at Humankind, kindness is our superpower! 🦸♂️
Kindness comes in many forms, from the simple to the truly heroic! And one story we're highlighting this week definitely fits the latter category. Now, as the father of twins, I know how they can share a close bond, and you feel they'll always be there for each other in a crisis. However, I sincerely hope my twins never face the scary situation encountered by middle school students Charlie and Amelia Loverme. In the video, Charlie is seen going into panic mode when he chokes on a piece of mozzarella cheese in the school cafeteria. As the other kids scatter in shock, his twin sister Amelia rushes to his aid, instinctively performing the Heimlich maneuver, even though she'd later admit she wasn't sure how to do it. Thankfully, she got it just right, probably saving Charlie's life. Thank goodness his twin stepped in.
There's no such drama in any of our other top stories this week. Scroll down for the most adorable 'awwww, how cute' moment at the Louisville Zoo, where a curious orangutan tries to plant a kiss on a 3-month-old human baby 👶🏼. Elsewhere, a service dog shares a college diploma with his owner after accompanying her to all her classes 🎓; new glasses allow an adorable toddler to see clearly for the first time; sanitation workers make a two-year-old's day; and an Army dad returns from deployment gift-wrapped to surprise his young son 🎁. Enjoy!
Until next time…