I was recently asked by the New Zealand radio station FreshFM to go on their programme called “The Happiness Revolution – With Just a Hint of Gloom” to speak about good news. This post summarizes some of the points I made. But before reading the rest of this post, I want you to take 10 seconds to look away and think about all the bad things going on in the world.
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Easy right?
Now take ten seconds to think of all the good things that are taking place.
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A bit harder?
If you are like the other people to whom I’ve asked this question, coming up with good news items is a much harder task. It took some of them over two minutes to come up with even one positive thing!
This in large part can be contributed to way the media operates and feeds into our minds. News has long centered on negative items. How often do you flip to your radio, TV, or mobile news headlines and learn about another terrorist attack, environmental disaster, corruption scandal, or mass shooting?
The media’s focus on bad news can often be well intentioned, stemming from an important commitment to being society’s watchdog. But the media also capitalises on an aspect of our human nature: the fact that we are hard-wired to pay attention to threats and alarming information. Being more aware of possible danger in the bushes was how we survived being eaten by wild animals. Bad news engages our fear reflex and hence is generally more attention-grabbing.
But many people, including myself, would argue that this mentality has gone too far.
Too much bad news can have several negative affects on people. First it can affect your own personal worries. Viewing negative news means that you’re likely to see your own personal worries as more threatening and severe. Constant exposure to negative news can have detrimental and long-lasting psychological effects. British psychologist Dr. Graham Davey, notes that violent media exposure, for instance, can trigger or worsen the development of stress, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). “Negative news can also significantly change an individual’s mood — especially if there is a tendency in the news broadcasts to emphasize suffering and the emotional components of the story,” Davey says.
Finally, bad news can also leave the consumer with “a choice between perpetual vigilance (and anxiety), or tuning it out. Research has found that the more negatively people feel after consuming bad news, the less likely they are to voice an opinion or take action to improve the world around them.
The good news (pun maybe intended) is that there are TONS of inspiring stories out there, many of which are successful cases of transforming bad stuff into opportunities and positive change.
Many actors are raising awareness of issues and offering new inspiring models. For instance, the GoodNewspaper is a physical newsletter that prints stories of people, ideas, and movements that are changing the world for the better. ClimateOptimist shines light on solutions to climate change and the amazing progress already happening. The Good News Network, Positive News, and the viral video distributor known as Upworthy have also sprung up to offer weary readers with openly optimistic alternatives.
Even major publications such a Huffington Post, the Guardian and MSN have started “Good News” sections. The New York Times has a weekly column called “Fixes,” which “explores solutions to major social problems.
And the good news is contagious! Arianna Huffington has said content about good news on her website, the Huffington Post, is more likely to be shared than other stories. Sharing solutions-based stories creates a ‘we’re all in this together’ movement. Human-interest stories increase trust and hope in humankind. Stories about improved living and health conditions are uplifting and encouraging.
And there are soooo many good stories out in the world. We just have to pay attention! I am collecting tons of exciting good news stories, about which I will be blogging soon. But just to give you a taste, here are some of the headlines:
- The point of no return: renewables are now unstoppable.
- Conscious consumerism is on the rise
- The meat and dairy industries’ secrets are out: a new paradigm of ethical eating is underway.
- Keep it Simple Stupid: minimalism and simplicity are back!
- Re-balancing: paid work is no longer worth sacrificing our ‘aliveness’ for.
- Alternative currencies: paving the way towards more equitable development, with users in the front seat.
- Going with the flow: Gender fluidity and a wider range of sexual identities is expanding.
- Re-educate: leaders of “progressive” education are gaining momentum
- Be well: practices and lifestyles that enhance wellbeing are spreading.
Phew! That’s a lot of good stuff! And to top it all off, according the Gravesion (and later spiral dynamics) framework of human development, we are in the process of making a momentous leap in consciousness! According to these theories, more and more of us are shifting towards forming a global tribe that is establishing a new way of living that’s in harmony with all human beings, other life forms and our planet’s natural systems. Many of the good news items above point to exactly the fact that this shift is already happening.
So there you have it folks! Scientists have shown that we can ‘rewire our brains’ to great benefit by resolving to focus on things we appreciate, instead of things we abhor. Just as reading bad news stirs up hormones and sparks neurotransmitters that change mood, so does good news. Our personal lives and relationships can also benefit greatly from regular exposure positive information. In fact, research shows that sharing good news with a partner can boost happiness and life satisfaction.
What are the good news stories going on in your community, country, or interest group? Please share in the comments below!
And why not get into the habit of looking at the ‘Good News’ section of your favorite publication and sharing what you find? If your favorite publication doesn’t have a ‘Good News’ section, ask for one. Let’s make good news contagious!
It will benefit everyone.