“Constant exposure to distressing headlines can heighten feelings of anxiety, stress, and even helplessness,” Dr. Alexis Moreno and Alex Honigman, LCSW, from Wit & Reason explain. 

“Over time, this focus illuminates more of what’s wrong, making it harder to recognize the positive aspects of life. Think of things like confirmation bias... It’s not that it’s untrue, just that the focus shifts. We can become so attuned to problems that our capacity to see what’s good around us diminishes, creating a dynamic that affects our overall well-being.”

Media expert and author of Eternity in the Ether: A Mormon Media History, Gavin Feller, PhD, says that constant exposure to negative news can push people to develop the “Mean World Syndrome.”

“This is a phenomenon George Gerbner discovered in the 1970s. When we're repeatedly exposed to negative news, we begin to see the world as a more violent and dangerous place than it really is. We begin to overestimate the amount of crime in the world, for instance. We develop anxiety, fear, and more pessimistic views. This can also then lead to self-fulfilling prophecies and confirmation bias—where we see what we're looking for,” he further explains. 

On the other hand, experts say that positive news can boost happiness. “Positive stories can refresh our mindset, promoting feelings of hope, joy, and connection. In fact, taking intentional breaks to consume uplifting stories can build emotional resilience, reminding us that there’s a balance in the world and helping us see possibility beyond the immediate stress,” Dr. Moreno and Honigman say. 

Feller adds that seeing positive things happening in the world can encourage optimism, gratitude, and a balanced worldview, counteracting our natural focus on negativity. “It also inspires what researchers call pro-social behavior—that is, actions like helping, volunteering, and showing empathy that benefit individuals and society. Positive news can also help strengthen community bonds and build mental resilience.”

When we are stuck in a vicious cycle of negativity, seeking out positivity might be challenging or might not even cross our minds. Feller says that we can find more positive news by being more aware of its source and how we engage with social media.

“More and more people are getting their news from social media platforms. Search and recommendation algorithms show us what we engage with. Even the amount of time you spend watching videos will influence what you get shown next. So, to make more of it positive, be sure to like, share, and follow positive stories and do the opposite with negative stories. Then platforms will show you more positive content.”

We can also avoid being overwhelmed by negativity by spending time in nature and meeting up with people in person. Forcing ourselves to get out of the house is definitely worth it. After all, the saying "Go touch some grass" didn’t appear out of thin air.

In addition, Dr. Moreno and Honigman recommend reading news in short spurts and scheduling intentional breaks. “When we do encounter negative news, pause to reflect and manage your reactions—this intentionality can prevent us from feeling overwhelmed. Be selective, not avoidant, about the news you consume,” they say.

“Remember that engaging with news consciously can create a more balanced view, helping us stay informed without letting fear or negativity dominate our perspective. It’s also useful to engage in news that is in a medium you enjoy! No judgment if you’re pulling news from comedians or other places that have fun.”

“For centuries, people have worried about the state of the world. Each generation can feel panic and fear that we've gone too far, that we're too divided, that the only way is down. But I believe the world is not any worse now than it has been in the past,” comforts Feller.

“There's a lot to celebrate. When we focus on the things within our sphere of control and let go of things we have no influence over, we'll be much happier and more fulfilled,” he concludes.