The internet can be an unhealthy environment at times. It’s where many people argue over divisive political views or leave nasty comments just to spread hate.
But some corners of cyberspace also offer content that uplifts people, and the Wholesome As Heck subreddit is one of them. This online community is rife with adorable animal photos that can make you forget about the ills of the world for a few good moments.
As always, we’ve collected photos from the page to give you some much-needed good vibes that can last for days.
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Big Smile :)
The Odd One
Somebody borrowed the feline orange brain cell... and has since given it back.
Many of us have felt urges to squish something utterly cute, like many animals in these photos. Filipinos have a term for it called gigil, which is essentially an overwhelming, uncontrollable physical reaction like cute aggression.
And no, it doesn’t make you an unhinged psychopath for feeling such emotions. According to experts like University of Cincinnati professor and researcher Dr. Oriana Aragón, it is completely normal behavior.
Hi How Are Ya
15 Minutes Old 🥰
He’ll Learn
As Dr. Aragón explained in a 2023 interview, cute aggression is simply a byproduct of a mismatch of emotions, otherwise known as dimorphous expressions.
She further noted that cute aggression can act as a release for these emotions and as a reminder to treat seemingly fragile beings like babies and, in this case, animals, with care.
Hammock
I Am The Perfect Cuddle Ball Of Hamster
“If you were to see people crying tears of joy, when removed from context, people think that the person is sad. In context, for instance, when receiving an award or seeing a loved one for the first time in a long time, those tears are easily interpreted as representing a positive emotion.”
Innocent!
No Talk, Only Hold
A pair of academics actually conducted a study on cute aggression. Psychologist Katherine Stavropoulos, who co-authored the research, says the entire brain is involved when these emotions arise.
"It's not just reward, and it's not just emotion,” she said. "Both systems in the brain are involved in this experience of cute aggression."
Graduation Day!
🐌
You're In My Spot
Stavropoulos also concluded that having the desire to squish a kitten’s adorable face is a perfectly normal and involuntary response to being overwhelmed by positive emotions.
“(People often think) ‘This is weird; I'm probably the only one who feels this way. I don't want to hurt it. I just want to eat it,’” she said. “When (they) feel this way, it's with no desire to cause harm.”
Hello, Yes How Much For This Potato?
Saffron Accepts The New Baby
He's Trained To Find People That Deserve Happiness For No Other Reason Than Existence
Tiny Baby Shrew
Lick
Dog_irl
She Is Bb
Mrs. Steal Yo Birb
Kitty Sees Her First Christmas Tree 🥰
Banana Cat
Important Meeting
Special Ducky Keeps You Safe
By Popular Demand, The Felon’s Sentence Has Been Extended
Corporate Needs You To Find The Corgi In The Picture, You Have Until Lunch
Just The Babiest Kitty
Oh Lawd
Cute Bird Showing Off For Daddy
Wasabi Has Been Informed They Are 'Teh Cutest Kitty' And Is Still Processing This Information
Henlo
Three Very Good Reasons Why All Your Paper Products Have Tiny Nibbles In Them
Cuddle Bear Is Hiding Somewhere In This Picture
An Impawsible Distraction
"Parker Just Has This Very Impawtant Stick To Share With Y'all 😌"
Best Bun
You Have Summoned The Comfy Kits
Ser Borks A Lot Here To Defend You From Loneliness
Tiny Spiky Boi
Snacc
Chillin’
Smiley Boy
Bunny Cuddle Muddle Puddle
Flower Girl 🥰
😁
Round Ball Of Happiness
Derp
She’s From Texas, So Sometimes She Wears A Hat, Too
You Mess With The Bork-Bark, I Make Your Heart Stop
I Have Found 4 Minstakes Hooman
Say Goodbye To The Cone Of Shame. Say Hello To The Bread Of Tame!
First I Cute, Then I Flop, I The Best At Bunny Hip Hop
How Do The Accused Plead?
Excuse Me, Sir
Don't Flop To Me Or My Bun Again
This Is Getting Out Of Hand, Now There Are Two Of Them
Bam-Bam (Full Bio In Comments)
Smelling The Flowers 🌸
Ok Hold Mommy's Trunk We're Gonna Cross The Savanna
Sargent Snuggles At Your Service
Felt Cute, Might Do Heartwings Later Idk
Unbelievabill Friendship
Small Bunny
Surprise Visit From A Birdy Friend Who Let The Random Hooman Give A Tiny Scritch
For The Most Perilous Of Missions
I'm Just Retweetin The Tweets
☮️✌🏻
Doggo Feets On The Couch Where He's Perfectly Allowed To Do The Snooze
What Is It You Do Here At Inventec?
There Is No Greater Bond Than That Between A Girl And Her Dinosaur
Penguin Hug
Pup
When You And Your Friend Are From Different Paths But You Just Vibe Really Hard When You're Together
It's 3am, Do You Know Where Your Brother Is?
Spaceship Bun Says "Take Me To Your Largest Financial Institution"
Cozy Boi
Goes By Tony Hops
🥰
You May Approach The Bun
It's Clawed A Cactical Turtleneck Lana
Safety Birdst
Now That's A Happy Bun
The Quack That Loves You Back
We Are Special Baby Brothers And We're Just Getting Used To A New Home
Is Your Tabby Getting Into Pot?
You Under Awwwest For Being Too Cute
Get In We're Going Off Roading
Her First Set Of Orphan Bottle Babies. She’s Had Them Since Before Their Eyes Were Open. One Is A Little More, Uh, Special
My last salary was $8750, ecom only worked 12 hours a week. My longtime neighbor yr estimated $15,000 and works about 20 hours for seven days. I can't believe how blunt he was when I looked up his information, This is what I do..... 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐏𝐚𝐲𝟏.𝐂𝐨𝐦
My last salary was $8750, ecom only worked 12 hours a week. My longtime neighbor yr estimated $15,000 and works about 20 hours for seven days. I can't believe how blunt he was when I looked up his information, This is what I do..... 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐏𝐚𝐲𝟏.𝐂𝐨𝐦
