Life can be hard, Pandas. We understand that. We all might need a pick-me-up once in a while. Something that can show us that people can be good and kind. We’re big proponents of positive content here at Bored Panda, and today, we have the perfect antidote to a stressful day.
That’s why we’re featuring the “wait a second this is wholesome content” Facebook group. A community of like-minded people who like sharing “the most wholesome things out there.” Their mission is as simple as that – to keep the world more wholesome. So scroll down and get some dopamine from our selection of pics from this group!
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Wholesome content is kind of on the rise right now. It seems that now, more than ever, we need some feel-good stories. I mean, even we here at Bored Panda cover all kinds of wholesome content regularly: wholesome memes, wholesome stories, wholesome pics, and many others.
Let's face it – most of us spend too much time online. Sometimes, we might seek emotional support in the form of positive content. In fact, a survey by the Richmond Foundation asked people ages 13 and 25 if they are likely to turn to social media to deal with their emotions. 24.3% of the respondents said they were more than likely to do that, and 9.2% said it would be very likely.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, The World Health Organization urged people to actively seek wholesome content. "Find opportunities to amplify positive and hopeful stories," they wrote in 2020. Granted, the pandemic was an especially difficult time emotionally for many people. But that doesn't mean we don't crave positivity online even now.
In 2022, Dr. Michèle Lamont, a sociology professor at Harvard, conducted a study where she interviewed 80 undergraduate students. She found that they greatly valued optimism and being active towards social change. Whereas the older generations expect hardships, the younger gen focuses on positivity to move on from them.
Chinese. That's interesting. A variant of the old Zoroastrian gold (riches), frankincense (saintliness) and myrrh (health). The child to pick one of them.
As much as we'd like to see only positive things online, we actually might be contributing to negativity online, even if unconsciously. Karolina Lempert, Ph.D., writes for Psychology Today about the negativity bias of bad news and headlines. According to her, studies have proven that people pay more attention to negative news than to good news.
The psychology behind this is that people tend to dislike losses more than they like gains. For example, if an egg falls on the ground and breaks, we're more likely to focus on that than the fact that there are still nine more eggs we were lucky enough to get at the store. Bad things, in general, elicit a stronger emotional reaction from us. Bad impressions and stereotypes, for one, form quicker than positive ones.
Back to article headlines – research by Claire Robertson and colleagues revealed that people click on headlines with negative words such as 'hate' and 'worst' more than with words like 'love' and 'best.' Previous research also showed that people share content more if it makes them angry.
That raises a question: "Why share something if it makes you feel bad?" Negativity in the comments section also works in a similar way. That's why some people might dump their frustrations on others.
Comments sections are often anonymous, so people rarely feel the consequences of their words in real life. There's also the online disinhibition effect: some things that are acceptable online would hardly be acceptable in real life – there are rarely any checks and balances.
So, how can we avoid falling into this pit of negative news and comments? Arlin Cuncic, MA, recommends starting with the platforms we choose. She suggests choosing outlets that focus on positive news and don't have the anonymity element in the comments.
Cuncic also says that educating yourself outside of the comments section can be helpful. "Read trusted sources of information and form your own opinion rather than relying on what you learn from the comment sections of news sites or social media pages," she writes.
I adore puffins. I first heard about/fell in love with them while my brother was stationed in Iceland with the US Air Force. He had given me a stuffed puffin toy and I just had to read everything I could about them.
Distancing yourself from the negativity can also help. There's nothing wrong with blocking, unfriending, or unfollowing the pages and people that cause you to have negative reactions. Instead, Cuncic encourages people to contribute to the positivity online. Share wholesome stories with others and leave positive comments – be that little part of change.
My 83-year-old nan has completed the LEGO Disney Castle. She is very proud for doing most of it on her own!
Sometimes, we need to tell our lizard brain not to engage in activities that give us instant gratification. That includes looking at the comments section. If you know yourself to be one to fall into the rabbit hole of negative comments under a news article, just don't do it. "You might decide that you will only spend five minutes reading comments on social media, and avoid comments on news outlets websites altogether," Cuncic suggests.
Lastly, taking a break from all devices is always an option, too. Cuncic recommends not using your smartphone at least 45 minutes before bed. Similarly, designate short periods of time during the day when you're device-free. "Go and do something like go for a walk in nature, do some meditation, write in a journal, or call a friend," she adds.
this reminds me of Rob Kenny, a man who created the youtube channel “Dad, How Do I?” to help kids who grow Up fatherless like he did (pitty there was no youtube when I had questions about shaving) https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrLt2hopxXhUHJ0h0RPtlwnIB8Kq1rM3g
Oh come on people. Annabel Wood was just trying to be funny. Not very successfully I agree, but can we please upvote her again? So she gets over -9. Thank you!
Why yes, yes you do. One chap who came up to say hello when I was working on a farm.😁 IMG_5511-6...32cdfc.jpg
i love this as a person with ADHD i can confirm this is a very apt description
I was grocery shopping and turned around from getting milk out of the fridge section and this guy was in my cart. No clue where he came from. He was mad when I finally caught him as he tried to scurry into my groceries. But then when he felt my hands were warm as I carried him outside (leaving my cart), he hugged onto my hand and closed his eyes and turned green. Didn’t move for a bit too, just took a short recharge on my hand. He was so thankful. It was so sweet.
The Worcester Public Library in Massachusetts announced that people who have lost or damaged a book can bring a photo, drawing, or magazine clipping of a cat, and get their library cards reactivated.
Been feeling a bit bad about the squirrels having been shut out by the spinning bird feeder. I made them a special place of their own to have a sit down lunch with some squirrel dignity.
Jumping spiders have singlehandedly cured my fear of spiders/bugs in general.
So, meet my boy, Cannon.
Jumping spiders are fun, friendly, surprising, active and harmless. They don't spin webs, they just walk around, and jump.
I helped the old lady next door with her new TV.
So she brought us a giant container of cheesy poofs as a thank you.
Years ago, My father and I were working in his attic. He missed a step, and went through the insulation and sheet rock. I caught him around the neck and pulled him back up with him choking the whole time. If he had fallen though, he would have landed on my mother's plate glass coffee table. He always made the joke that I "choked the life back into him". He passed in 2020. I miss him every day.
Please enjoy this photo of my dog enjoying an ice cream at the park
As someone who works customer service all day every day, I agree. Love when I find a kind soul. I wish all guests/patients could be like my regulars.
My 4 year old niece drew me at school today. I always wear my hair up in a bun, so she drew me with one
That's nice of Amazon. Almost makes up for the slavery like work conditions of their workers.
Too big for a velociraptor. Neck not long enough for a coelophysis. Claws not big enough for a dinonychus. I wonder what it is.
Why do wholesome posts always make me cry? I always think they will cheer me up. But I guess crying does more for healing than laughing does.
Better than getting all steamed up at those "beggars who were choosers" awful posts
Load More Replies...I actually have one so once in 5th grade I did not get my art project done so I had to go to the art room and finish it. While I was working on it someone strangely familiar walked in. A few minutes after glancing over at each other he asked me my name and I said “my name is Bryson” then he said “Wait did you go to (school name)” then I said yes and turns out he was my best friend from my old old school (I’m currently at my 3rd school because I was bullied at my 2nd one) and to this day we are best friends and play squads in Fortnite with our two friends and eat lunch together. I am so happy that we found out that we knew each other. When 6th grade came around we had all but one class together and always sat by each other hiding our AirPods in our ears and listening to music
We are currently in 7th grade and have almost known each other for 9 years
Load More Replies...Why do wholesome posts always make me cry? I always think they will cheer me up. But I guess crying does more for healing than laughing does.
Better than getting all steamed up at those "beggars who were choosers" awful posts
Load More Replies...I actually have one so once in 5th grade I did not get my art project done so I had to go to the art room and finish it. While I was working on it someone strangely familiar walked in. A few minutes after glancing over at each other he asked me my name and I said “my name is Bryson” then he said “Wait did you go to (school name)” then I said yes and turns out he was my best friend from my old old school (I’m currently at my 3rd school because I was bullied at my 2nd one) and to this day we are best friends and play squads in Fortnite with our two friends and eat lunch together. I am so happy that we found out that we knew each other. When 6th grade came around we had all but one class together and always sat by each other hiding our AirPods in our ears and listening to music
We are currently in 7th grade and have almost known each other for 9 years
Load More Replies...