3 Reasons Why Positive Stories Make Us Feel Better

If you're wondering why you feel uplifted after you've encountered a positive story, then here's the former psychology teacher's take on it:

1) Good news displaces negative narratives and causes an immediate drop in cortisol, a stress hormone. Lower blood pressure, a calmer heart rate, and relaxation in muscle tension will follow.

2) Positive experiences can trigger the release of dopamine and serotonin, which are linked to reward, pleasure, and mood regulation. The surge in these neurotransmitters often contributes to feelings of contentment, motivation, and an improved emotional state.

3) Hearing uplifting information can stimulate the release of endorphins, which are the body’s natural painkillers. Endorphins can generate a sense of euphoria or well-being and may help alleviate mild physical discomforts and aches.

Psychological principles such as these are at the heart of our responses to news and information. Knowing these are hard-wired into our brains gives us a chance to control our moods by managing the input.

Ready to try it out? Check out these beautiful short films that were created to uplift and inform.

After years of sharing their stories informally, Quinte West Lost Paws has a cohesive origin story to help people understand the valuable work their team of volunteers accomplishes. And, in keeping with the positive theme of this edition of Through Lavender Lenses, it's going to have a happy ending.

The impact of the Hastings and Prince Edward Learning Foundation goes way beyond the numbers - but the stats still tell a story. In the production of this short film, I was so incredulous that I had to call back to verify the staggering number of young people impacted every day across our region.