Why Do Happy Animal Memes Make Us Smile?

Although it might seem that these happy, funny animals make us smile simply because they’re so silly, the actual cause lies deep in the human condition. That’s right—happy animal photos and their powers of cheering us up lie in human psychology and behavior. Let us explain: 

For one, humans tend to mirror the emotions they see. This is called emotional contagion. So, when we see an animal that appears to be joyful, it might trigger the very same emotions in us. Another reason why these happy animal memes are so appealing to us is the “cute factor.” Whenever we see a cute animal, preferably one with big, round eyes and fluffy fur, it instantly triggers nurturing instincts and positive feelings. This phenomenon, too, has a specific name and is known as the “baby schema.” And lastly, looking at happy animal pics provides us with a momentary distraction from our woes, thus relieving stress and anxiety! 

All in all, happy animal memes might be the best thing on the internet. They can improve mood, relieve stress, and give us a moment of pure, unadulterated joy. So why not check out the rest of this list?