Overcoming “Mean World Syndrome”
“While it is important to stay informed about current events, including distressing ones… a balance in coverage would mitigate ‘mean world syndrome,’ which is when — after long-term exposure to upsetting news — people begin to see the world as a darker place than it is in reality.”
“Following news stories that feature others’ kindness has a real set of emotional and cognitive benefits for people… It serves as a kind of reset button that allows us to have this faith in humanity.”
— Kathryn Buchanan
When we witness an act of kindness,
“it gives us a special feeling called elevation…a warm, fuzzy feeling in the chest…an immediate rush of wanting to be a better person.”
— Kathryn Buchanan
Adapted from: Washington Post, “Stories of kindness can ease the angst of upsetting news, study says” written by Sydney Page
