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Bored Panda

Entertainment

Mantas Kačerauskas

“Made My Heart Full”: 73 Wholesome Posts That Might Be Exactly What You Need Today (New Pics)

Mental Health

We’ve all been there… One minute, you’re happily scrolling through your feed. Next, you’re sucked into a never-ending vortex of negativity. It’s easy to become disillusioned when the bad stuff is constantly staring us in the face. That’s why it’s important to cleanse your aura every so often, with a dash of uplifting positivity.

If you’re struggling to source said positive vibes, fear not because Bored Panda has your back. We’ve compiled a list of heartwarming and happy posts that might have you breathing a sigh of relief while you think, “Wait… This Is Wholesome.” Each of them has been sourced from a page with that exact name. It has no less than 926,000 followers, all queuing for their daily dose of pick-me-uppers.

Grab a comforting drink, maybe even a cozy blanket, sit back and keep scrolling. Feel free to consider this your virtual group hug and debriefing session, but don’t get so happy that you forget to upvote your favorites.

#1 This Is Parenting Done Right🙌💙💛

#2 😁

#3 🐈

If you think PTSD is reserved for army veterans, and those who have experienced violent trauma first-hand, think again. Research has shown that simply viewing graphic, violent, or disturbing content online can cause indirect or secondary trauma, as well as depression.

Some call it “vicarious PTSD.” And the more you doom-scroll, or view negative content, the higher your chances of developing symptoms. These include intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, hyperarousal, and sleep disturbances.

“Repeatedly watching or ‘doomscrolling’ through unedited media and tragic events online overloads the brain's stress response,” explains the American Psychiatric Association’s site.

#4 What's The Difference

#5 I Love Kind People And For This To Come From A Man Hits So Different. And Truly How Lucky His Girlfriend Must Be To Have Him

#6 Normalize Calling Men Pretty. Normalize Calling Everyone Pretty

Even mental health experts aren’t immune. Jeffrey Pickens, a Professor of Psychology at St. Thomas University, recalls how he clicked a harmless-looking link while surfing a conventional news thread.

“Suddenly, my screen was filled with full-on war footage. Violent images from a soldier's body cam, trench warfare, drones, explosions, and close combat are presented with a heavy metal soundtrack,” says the expert, adding that at first, he was transfixed. But that soon turned to shock, and he switched off the video.

Pickens says those few seconds exposed him to real scenes of violence that he did not wish to see but couldn't "un-see."

#7 Ran Into This Dude

#8 Dudes Helping Dudes!

#9 One Of The Builders

The expert says the best solution is to avoid viewing traumatic content. But as we have come to learn, that's not always possible. Pickens advises that you teach yourself to tune out toxic imagery and tune in to your reactions to potential stress triggers.

“If you must view traumatic media, learn to take breaks, turn off the sound, and talk or journal about your feelings about what you witnessed,” he explains.

#10 Why Throw Parades?

#11 Absolutely The Best Hahahaha

#12 Women Like Mac And Cheese. Because Everyone Likes Mac And Cheese

Those over at The Summit Counseling Center agree. They add that it also helps to practice self-care, and engage in positive activities for your mental health. For example, mindfulness, exercise, breathing, etc. when feeling stressed.

“Balance source material,” they advise. This doesn’t mean going to another source for a different version of the negative content. But rather, searching for something more positive to watch or read (like this wholesome listicle you're currently scrolling through).

#13 The Venue Is A Sports Bar In Portland, Oregon. It Recently Expanded Into A Franchise With Support From Reddit’s Co-Founder And Even Hosted A Pop-Up Event In Paris

#14 I Have A New Hero 😁

#15 Thats Real Family Right There

Sheryl Ankrom, a licensed clinical professional counselor who serves as the director of clinical services for Lifeline Behavioral Healthcare, says it’s important that immediately after experiencing something disturbing, you remove yourself from that trigger.

“Get away from the computer, don’t view that image again, and go for a walk,” she advises. Ankrom told Vice that some counterprogramming can also help. This might mean listening to music you love, watching your favorite TV show, or even calling a friend who can ground you in physical reality again.

Basically, “anything that helps overwrite the immediate horror and revulsion can help make it easier to deal with those feelings down the line,” she says.

#16 This Thread Is Everything Right Now

#17 When Did You Realize How Important Sisterhood Is To You?

#18 I Told You She Was Real !*

While there’s no doubt that consuming negative media can be harmful to our mental health, the opposite is also true. A Harvard study found that routine social media use can be beneficial - as long as you are mindful of how it is affecting you.

“Our findings suggest that the ways that people are using social media may have more of an impact on their mental health and well-being than just the frequency and duration of their use,” said the study’s co-author Mesfin Bakalu, adding that the findings go against what some might expect.

#19 This Was Written By A Grateful Worm

#20 The World Needs This

#21 You Got Netflix?

Bakalu explains that having a strong social network is associated with positive mental health and well-being.

“Routine social media use may compensate for diminishing face-to-face social interactions in people’s busy lives,” said the researcher. “Social media may provide individuals with a platform that overcomes barriers of distance and time, allowing them to connect and reconnect with others and thereby expand and strengthen their in-person networks and interactions.”

#22 This Is Why Kids Should Do Chores Around The House. They See How Their Actions Affect Others In The House, Both Positively And Negatively

#23 This Is A Great Response

#24 This Is So Pure And Good I Love It

According to Bakalu and his co-authors, routine social media use, like responding to content that others share, is positively associated with social well-being, positive mental health, and self-rated health. It’s when there’s an emotional connection, or obsession with social media, that you should worry.

For example, say the experts, checking apps excessively out of fear of missing out, being disappointed about or feeling disconnected from friends when not logged into social media, are all shown to have a negative effect on our well-being, mental and self-rated physical health.

In short: choose wisely what you consume, and you should be fine.