Good news, and how to find it
Keeping up with what’s going on in the world is incredibly important. With so many political, humanitarian, and social problems in the world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the information coming at us from every angle. Some of the most upsetting stories are the headlines which make the front pages or pop up first on news websites. In fact, it has been proven that negative headlines have more than a 60 percent higher click-through rate than positive ones.
According to The Washington Post, seven in ten Americans suffer from negative news fatigue. We cannot blame negative news for causing mental health problems, but it is possible that it exacerbates underlying or existing issues, such as anxiety or stress. Constantly consuming negative news stories can make us feel as though the world is a terrible place and there’s nothing we can do to change that.
Constantly consuming negative stories can make us feel as though the world is a terrible place
So how do we fix this issue? The key is to find a balance between negative and positive news. Try to inform yourself about the big, heavy new stories as much as you can. But if after a few articles, you’re struggling with the content, do try to find an uplifting news story to read. Part of the trouble is that these stories don’t tend to make the front page, so you really have to know where to look. News outlets should put more effort into creating this balance between the positive and the negative, so that negative news fatigue can be prevented at source.
Until these changes are made, however, we have to continue to know where to look to find the happy stories. So, here to help you out is a list of 5 recent positive new stories and a list of where to find them!
Scientists have made a breakthrough in treating prostate cancer
In recent clinical trials two new treatment options have been discovered which appear to improve survival odds for people living with prostate cancer. Scientists have found that when combining androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) with a medication called enzalutamide, the risk of death is decreased by 58%, when compared with ADT treatment alone.
Source: positive.news
UK libraries are opening ‘warm hubs’ for people struggling to heat their homes
Isobel Hunter, chief executive of the charity Libraries Connected has said that “Libraries will be there to offer a warm space and a warm welcome – not only to those who are struggling to pay their energy bills, but anyone who’s looking for company, conversation or advice”.
Source: positive.news
The EU plans to crackdown on microplastics
The European Commission has revealed its plan for operators handling plastic pellets to be obliged to take precautionary measure to reduce leakage. The Commission hopes that this change could reduce plastic pellet release by up to 74%.
Source: positive.news
Women’s sport is receiving more views than ever before
Twelve years ago, the Women’s World Cup had a global audience of 63 million people. But this year, Fifa estimates 2 billion people tuned in to watch. This new momentum for women’s sport is allowing us to have never-before-had conversations and is inspiring generations of girls and women that they too can achieve success in sport.
Source: positive.news
The first beavers have been born in Sussex for 500 years
Beavers became extinct in the UK in the sixteenth century, but are now gradually being reintroduced. Their reintroduction should positively affect British ecosystems, as their gnawing behaviour creates homes for other creatures to flourish.
Source: thehappynewspaper
So how do we fix this issue? The key is to find a balance between negative and positive news
Some positive news sources include positive.news (website); goodnewsnetwork (website); @thehappynewspaper (Instagram); and the BBC Uplifting Stories page (website).
I am not at all recommending that we bury our heads in the sand and ignore the seismic changes happening in the world, or that we steer completely clear of any negative news stories. However, it is so important to remember that despite what we read, there is goodness in the world. Humans are normally kind, and we do all have the capacity to make a difference to the planet that we call home.
Image: Stougard via Wikimedia Commons
How can individuals effectively stay informed about global issues without feeling overwhelmed by the constant influx of information from various sources?
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