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The world can seem like a messed up place. Especially if we look at it through the mainstream media. But it can also be beautiful. We just need to remind ourselves of that every once in a while.

Enter the Instagram account 'Good News Dog.' It regularly fetches uplifting moments from around the globe for the 1.4 million people that follow it, giving them one reason to smile after another.

Think of it as a good boy who gets up early in the morning to bring you the newspaper. Only instead of your coffee table, the fella leaves it on your social media feed. And instead of the fearmongering articles, there's a picture of a woman who just knit a bag of hats for a shelter. Or another one showing thousands of Berliners greeting Ukrainian refugees with signs, offering a place to stay.

Continue scrolling to explore this wholesome corner of the internet through Bored Panda's hand-picked selection of its best posts.

More info: Instagram

#1

Unexpected-Wholesome-Situations

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KJ
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Small acts of kindness can go a long way, we never know when someone could use a wee boost.

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    #2

    Unexpected-Wholesome-Situations

    Today a lady and her husband came into our Home Depot and told us that the insurance company might not pay for their little boy’s walker, so they went on the internet and found plans to make one out of PVC pipe. My store manager heard about this and went over to them and said, "We got this."

    We started putting it together and told the family to go and enjoy ice cream and come back in an hour. Other associates started jumping in and when the family came back it was done. Everyone was crying to see Logan walk around with the biggest smile on his face.

    When the family tried to pay us, we said "No way, this one is on us." 

    What a wonderful act of kindness! 

    goodnewsdog Report

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    Fat Harry
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What a world we live in where someone in the wealthiest country on Earth can't get a piece of medical equipment for their child because insurance won't cover it. Healthcare should be a right.

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    Pages like 'Good News Dog' are needed more than you might think. "Unfortunately, a lot of the news we consume today isn’t so much reporting as it is a way of keeping people addicted to the news cycle," said licensed psychologist Logan Jones, PsyD.

    Since sensational headlines get more attention, Jones says media outlets often end up focusing on disaster reporting—and rarely any positive news.

    "Consuming too much of this kind of news, whether actively or passively, can be very toxic, and what you hear has an impact on your mood."

    Annie Miller, MSW, LCSW-C, LICSW, explains the process like this: when we experience a threat, our brain activates the fight or flight response, and the systems in our body react accordingly.

    Consuming the news can activate the sympathetic nervous system, which causes our body to release stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. Then, when a crisis is happening, and we are experiencing this stress response more frequently, Miller says physical symptoms may arise.

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    #6

    Unexpected-Wholesome-Situations

    AskDoctorNate Report

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    Sherilynne DeMaio
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And I see you are an LCSW. You have used your hardship to grow compassion instead of bitterness. All the best to you, good sir.

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    #7

    Unexpected-Wholesome-Situations

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    Lakota Wolf
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She is a beautiful bride now and I know she was in 1952 as well!

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    This emotional toll and negative effect on the psyche was demonstrated in a study that found people who watched negative material, as compared to those who watched positive or neutral material, showed an increase in both anxious and sad moods after just 14 minutes of viewing television news bulletins and programs.

    In addition to an increase in anxious and sad moods, the researchers also found the results to be consistent with the theories of worry that implicate a negative mood as a causal factor in facilitating worrisome thoughts.

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    #11

    Unexpected-Wholesome-Situations

    goodnewsdog Report

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    Hseed
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That second sentence was completely unnecessary. You can't judge a country for its past. All countries including mine have embarrassing moments in history. We can't tag Germans as nazis, we can't tag Spain (where I live) with dictatorship and terrorism, and so on. And you can't say polish people are doing better than they did. Different times, different people. Congrats for today's job, Poles. Better think twice what you write, dude.

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    There's even a word for the act of obsessively reading bad news despite the onset of anxiety It's called doomscrolling and even thought it's quite new, research stretching back for decades has long warned that consuming too much negative news can take its toll.

    Studies have linked poor mental health to news exposure during negative and traumatic events; the more news a person consumes during and after these events, the more likely they are to suffer from depression, stress and anxiety. For example, there's a study that surveyed 4,675 Americans in the weeks following the Boston Marathon bombings and collected data on how much media they consumed. Participants who engaged with more than six hours of media coverage per day were nine times more likely to also experience symptoms of high acute stress than those who only watched a minimal amount of news.

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    #15

    Unexpected-Wholesome-Situations

    goodnewsdog Report

    #17

    Unexpected-Wholesome-Situations

    goodnewsdog Report

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    KJ
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Scumbag parents having an issue with someone getting an education, good on the president.

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    2020 was exceptionally bad. "We've had so much news from COVID-19 and the economic breakdown to the reckoning with racial injustice combined with hurricanes and firestorms," said Roxane Cohen Silver, a research psychologist at the University of California, Irvine. "It's clear the stress of the election has added to all this."

    "So much of it is open-ended and uncertain at the moment," Graham Davey, an emeritus professor of psychology at the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom added. "That alone is something that people find extraordinarily stressful."

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    #18

    Unexpected-Wholesome-Situations

    Beavs Report

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    Friday
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I hope that they kept in touch (the owners) to arrange future pup play dates ❤️

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    #21

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    Deux
    Community Member
    2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If only there were more 14 year olds doing this than getting hooked into a life of crime. Create bowties, not heartache and trauma.

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    Psychologists refer to it as an "intolerance of uncertainty," and, unfortunately, it's a vicious cycle. You find listening to the news stressful and anxiety-provoking but can't stop doing it because you feel the need to find out what on earth is going on.

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    But there are things that people can do to protect their mental health from the potentially damaging effects of obsessively consuming news. "It's important to be informed but we don't want you to be doomscrolling," said Judith Andersen, a health psychologist at the University of Toronto in Canada.

    "Check the news just once a day, and I don't think it's best to check in the morning because it clouds the rest of your day." She also recommends confining yourself to well-established and credible news sources to avoid the risk of over-hyped or even misleading content.

    #26

    Unexpected-Wholesome-Situations

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    Mozzarella
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Never let our elderly feel lonely. They are treasures and need to be treated like so

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    #27

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    Monday
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Would be quite the plot twist if everyone else skipped the hike on purpose as an attempt at matchmaking because web dev guy liked her.

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    But those times that you do sit down to get up to speed with the world around you, Davey recommends that you actually read articles in full, rather than simply checking out the headlines. "Headlines are usually dramatized, and you need more context than that," he explained.

    Or simply fire up 'Good News Dog!'

    #30

    Unexpected-Wholesome-Situations

    MattGalatzan Report

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    Lakota Wolf
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This hits home. Hopefully my kitten with FIP will be declared cured of this normally-fatal disease in two weeks (treatment is 84 days of medication injections) - and he’s definitely getting some delish foods and a party :D I’m so glad this pupper made it too!

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    #31

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    Friday
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How can anyone abandon their senior baby? Congratulations on your promotion, have a happy life sweetheart ❤️

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    #32

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    Friday
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This beautiful gesture will likely become his most valued possession ❤️

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    #36

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    Bobert Robertson
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Deep fried pickles. He found them before the first career and is content for life now.

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    Gavin Frazier
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    for those who dont know the navy seals are one of the hardest units in the army to get into.

    Violaine LB
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't know why you were downvoted, I'm not from the US so it's good to have that extra info. Thank you!

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    Sherilynne DeMaio
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Same positive smile in each impressive role. Astounding list of accomplishments!

    Olga Aftyka
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think you just need to be already trained at something important to work for NASA, he did overdo it though with getting 2 hard jobs before that ;)

    UpQuarkDownQuark
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, I was gonna do that, too. I’ll get right on it as soon as I clear this dungeon. And finish the last season of The Mandalorian. And take a nap. But after that…!

    Lindsfc
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He had a pretty rotten childhood, his father was a violent domestic abuser, who ended up being shot by police. So, he's definitely come a long way from such difficult beginnings..

    v
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So...he can thoroughly break you and then fix you, in space.

    Nicole Holt
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And he also discovered the secret to eternal youth. He doesn't look like he aged at all!

    Mustavo Gaia
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    For a deeper look on his story, check this interview with him: https://youtu.be/yujP3-AxXsI - Jocko Podcast 221: Jonny Kim. Navy SEAL, Doctor, Astronaut. The Unimaginable Path.

    Raq Ram
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I cannot get over this guy's accomplishments! He literally has done so much in such little time.He completed 100 combat operations. He served as a Special Operations Combat Medic, sniper, navigator and point man spanning two deployments. Kim is also the recipient of a Silver and Bronze Star with valor. And you know why he pursued being a doctor after being a Navy Seal? He said, " I wanted to contine assisting humanity as a public service." He's married with 3 kids, too. I wonder how his kids will be able to top that list. 🤔

    Megan Pippenger
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Somewhere there is a group of Asian moms who do not try to brag about their children when Mrs. Kim is around anymore. She’s got them all beat and they all know it.

    Robyn Bowns
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Man this kid likes school too much. How many freeking years does it take to be a space dr???

    Anita Edwardd
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How long did he achieve all of this work and study in? 6.5 weeks? He hasn’t aged or changed one bit!

    Doug
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I suspect anyone whose resume includes "NASA Astronaut" has a pretty impressive backstory. That's a pretty special career path to be both an explorer and a scientist!

    Beth D
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    His Happy - Challenge, Giving Back, Striving to be more everyday! Thank you for your service sir!

    Alexander Neil
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Good for him! Brilliant! Can you imagine his mom at lunch with the other moms?

    Vicky Zar
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But how? Don't you have to go to school and then do a residency for several years? Is he a vampire? ;-)

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    #38

    Unexpected-Wholesome-Situations

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    Sherilynne DeMaio
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Americans should take a lesson from this example. This is how to offer comfort to strangers in peril.

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    #39

    Unexpected-Wholesome-Situations

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    Mozzarella
    Community Member
    2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Woohooooooooooooooo. If we saw things the way that 6 year olds did, the world would be a better place.

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    #43

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    goodnewsdog Report

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    Lakota Wolf
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My grandmas are both long gone :( I will help protecc OP’s grandma, as both of mine would want me to XD

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    #46

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    Brendan Roberts
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It doesn't matter if they're biological or not, a good mama will take in any infants.

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    #50

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    bbymandi Report

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    kristina law
    Community Member
    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    While this is an awesome little story, I have seen it on BP probably over 10 times now lol

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    Note: this post originally had 81 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.

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