Day 115 of #LiveWell2017

Anyone who pays attention to the daily news understands the phrase “if it bleeds, it leads.” Whether morning, noon, or night, print or broadcast, news reports tend to be filled with bad news, horrible tragedies, sad outcomes. Only rarely do newscasts feature good news, and they are generally tacked on to the end of the hour as a human interest story. By then, most of us are depressed beyond repair about the state of the world.

With news now available to us on a 24/7 cycle, through TV, radio, social media, cell phones, tablets, and computers, it’s hard to escape the bombardment of bad. That kind of exposure is not good for any of us. It creates stress in our bodies and minds, even if we don’t realize it. To combat the negative news and stress, it’s important to seek out the good and to take a break from the bad.

Turning off the TV and cell phone helps. Seeking out sources of good news is even better. Try the Good News Network or Happy News. Follow positive Twitter accounts like Action for Happiness. Better yet, look around your home, your neighborhood, and your community to see what good things are going on around you. You may be surprised how much good is near you.

Looking for good can be as simple as noticing that your partner emptied the dishwasher or the trees outside your window are suddenly bursting with flowers. Perhaps you notice someone helping a neighbor fix a flat tire or your kids are playing nicely together for a change. Look for the little stuff that makes your everyday life sweeter. All those little acts of goodness add up to a better world for all of us.

Actively looking for the good around us helps us stay positive, healthier, happier, and more productive. Seek out the good today.

What good did you see?