If You Feel Like The World Is Going To Hell, These 50 Positive Stories May Change Your Mind

Scrolling through the news, the world can feel like a terrible place. But the Instagram accountRandom Kindnessis here to remind us that good still exists. Sharing uplifting stories, heartwarming moments, and random acts of compassion from around the world, it offers a refreshing break from negativity. Each post celebrates the better side of humanity, showcasing howsmall gestures can make a big impact. Whether it’s about strangers helping strangers or a Good Samaritan providing for their community, they prove that even a little love can go a long way.More info:InstagramThis post may includeaffiliate links.RELATED:Shahram Heshmat, Ph.D., who is an associate professor emeritus of health economics of addiction at the University of Illinois at Springfield, says that ultimately, kindness is about putting other people’s interests first, and it makes our lives better in a number of ways.“Acting kindly makes us feel good. It feels wonderful to do something useful for someone. The ‘helper’s high’ is the uplifting feeling that we experience after doing an act of kindness to others,” hewrites.According to the professor, the “helper’s high” shows up in our brain’s reward system. “The experience is like consuming a piece of chocolate cake or having a pleasant surprise,” he explains.“It feels so good that the brain motivates us to do them again and again. As the proverb goes, it’s better to give than to receive. It makes you feel like your life is valuable.“Kindness is also contagious. “Kind acts can have a ripple effect—for example, giving a genuine compliment to a family member, friend, or colleague. When people receive kindness, they get an emotional boost and are more likely to help someone else,” Heshmat adds. “Just hearing that someone else has behaved kindly can motivate us to do the same.” These memes definitely add to the spread of the message!Furthermore, Heshmat believes that “kind individuals may even be considered better-looking.““In other words, being a kind person could make people perceive you as more attractive. We are biologically wired to be drawn to people who are compassionate.“We might even have data to back this up. A recentstudypublished in the British Journal of Social Psychology also suggests that people seen as kind and helpful are perceived as more physically attractive.In their new research, Natalia Kononov and Danit Ein-Gar focused on prosocial behavior—acts of kindness, cooperation, and helpfulness—and tried to understand whether this quality has a unique effect on perceptions of physical beauty. They hypothesized that people might feel motivated to associate with prosocial individuals, viewing them as more attractive because of an unconscious desire to form connections with people who display kindness.“Often, we use beauty metaphorically to describe admirable inner qualities, saying someone is ‘beautiful on the inside.’ I was curious to see if this perception has a basis in reality—whether kindness and generosity, qualities associated with inner beauty, actually influence how we perceive someone’s physical attractiveness. Our findings suggest this association isn’t just metaphorical; beautiful acts do, indeed, lead us to see people as more beautiful,”saysstudy author Natalia Kononov, a Fulbright Postdoctoral Fellow at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.The research consisted of ten studies with over 4,000 participants. The team designed a variety of scenarios to assess whether prosocial behavior influenced how physically attractive people appeared to others. Participants in different studies either observed real-life prosocial acts, read descriptions of kind behaviors, or imagined scenarios involving helpful behavior.To ensure the findings were comprehensive, the researchers accounted for several factors (they compared perceptions of attractiveness when participants saw people acting kindly versus in a neutral context) and explored how consistent prosocial behavior might affect attractiveness differently than one-time acts. They also examined whether the influence of kindness on perceived beauty was stronger than that of other positive traits like humor or intelligence.The results were clear: there was a consistent link between prosocial actions and higher ratings of physical attractiveness. People who were described as engaging in kind or helpful behaviors were rated as more beautiful than those who were not. These findings held true for both male and female observers evaluating targets of either gender, suggesting a broad appeal of prosociality in enhancing physical attractiveness.“An interesting aspect of our findings is that the effect of prosociality on attractiveness was consistent across genders,” Kononov says. “Kindness and generosity made both men and women appear more attractive, regardless of who was being evaluated or who was doing the evaluating. This gender-universal appeal highlights just how broadly kindness can shape perceptions of beauty.“See Also on Bored PandaContinue reading with Bored Panda PremiumUnlimited contentAd-free browsingDark modeSubscribe nowAlready a subscriber?Sign InSee Also on Bored PandaSee Also on Bored PandaSee Also on Bored PandaSee Also on Bored PandaSee Also on Bored PandaModal closeAdd New ImageModal closeAdd Your Photo To This ListPlease use high-res photos without watermarksOoops! 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RELATED:Shahram Heshmat, Ph.D., who is an associate professor emeritus of health economics of addiction at the University of Illinois at Springfield, says that ultimately, kindness is about putting other people’s interests first, and it makes our lives better in a number of ways.“Acting kindly makes us feel good. It feels wonderful to do something useful for someone. The ‘helper’s high’ is the uplifting feeling that we experience after doing an act of kindness to others,” hewrites.According to the professor, the “helper’s high” shows up in our brain’s reward system. “The experience is like consuming a piece of chocolate cake or having a pleasant surprise,” he explains.“It feels so good that the brain motivates us to do them again and again. As the proverb goes, it’s better to give than to receive. It makes you feel like your life is valuable.“Kindness is also contagious. “Kind acts can have a ripple effect—for example, giving a genuine compliment to a family member, friend, or colleague. When people receive kindness, they get an emotional boost and are more likely to help someone else,” Heshmat adds. “Just hearing that someone else has behaved kindly can motivate us to do the same.” These memes definitely add to the spread of the message!Furthermore, Heshmat believes that “kind individuals may even be considered better-looking.““In other words, being a kind person could make people perceive you as more attractive. We are biologically wired to be drawn to people who are compassionate.“We might even have data to back this up. A recentstudypublished in the British Journal of Social Psychology also suggests that people seen as kind and helpful are perceived as more physically attractive.In their new research, Natalia Kononov and Danit Ein-Gar focused on prosocial behavior—acts of kindness, cooperation, and helpfulness—and tried to understand whether this quality has a unique effect on perceptions of physical beauty. They hypothesized that people might feel motivated to associate with prosocial individuals, viewing them as more attractive because of an unconscious desire to form connections with people who display kindness.“Often, we use beauty metaphorically to describe admirable inner qualities, saying someone is ‘beautiful on the inside.’ I was curious to see if this perception has a basis in reality—whether kindness and generosity, qualities associated with inner beauty, actually influence how we perceive someone’s physical attractiveness. Our findings suggest this association isn’t just metaphorical; beautiful acts do, indeed, lead us to see people as more beautiful,”saysstudy author Natalia Kononov, a Fulbright Postdoctoral Fellow at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.The research consisted of ten studies with over 4,000 participants. The team designed a variety of scenarios to assess whether prosocial behavior influenced how physically attractive people appeared to others. Participants in different studies either observed real-life prosocial acts, read descriptions of kind behaviors, or imagined scenarios involving helpful behavior.To ensure the findings were comprehensive, the researchers accounted for several factors (they compared perceptions of attractiveness when participants saw people acting kindly versus in a neutral context) and explored how consistent prosocial behavior might affect attractiveness differently than one-time acts. They also examined whether the influence of kindness on perceived beauty was stronger than that of other positive traits like humor or intelligence.The results were clear: there was a consistent link between prosocial actions and higher ratings of physical attractiveness. People who were described as engaging in kind or helpful behaviors were rated as more beautiful than those who were not. These findings held true for both male and female observers evaluating targets of either gender, suggesting a broad appeal of prosociality in enhancing physical attractiveness.“An interesting aspect of our findings is that the effect of prosociality on attractiveness was consistent across genders,” Kononov says. “Kindness and generosity made both men and women appear more attractive, regardless of who was being evaluated or who was doing the evaluating. This gender-universal appeal highlights just how broadly kindness can shape perceptions of beauty.“See Also on Bored PandaContinue reading with Bored Panda PremiumUnlimited contentAd-free browsingDark modeSubscribe nowAlready a subscriber?Sign InSee Also on Bored PandaSee Also on Bored PandaSee Also on Bored PandaSee Also on Bored PandaSee Also on Bored Panda

Service dog holding an emergency inhaler in mouth, showcasing wholesome kindness.

Before and after rescue dog transformation, showcasing wholesome-kindness-posts theme.

Shahram Heshmat, Ph.D., who is an associate professor emeritus of health economics of addiction at the University of Illinois at Springfield, says that ultimately, kindness is about putting other people’s interests first, and it makes our lives better in a number of ways.“Acting kindly makes us feel good. It feels wonderful to do something useful for someone. The ‘helper’s high’ is the uplifting feeling that we experience after doing an act of kindness to others,” hewrites.

“Acting kindly makes us feel good. It feels wonderful to do something useful for someone. The ‘helper’s high’ is the uplifting feeling that we experience after doing an act of kindness to others,” hewrites.

Young boy recognized for heroic acts, saving a friend with Heimlich and rescuing a woman from a fire. Wholesome kindness posts.

Two boys hugging a young girl after a rescue, showcasing wholesome kindness and bravery.

Man in a store with a cart full of stuffed animals, showcasing wholesome-kindness, preparing gifts for children’s hospital visit.

According to the professor, the “helper’s high” shows up in our brain’s reward system. “The experience is like consuming a piece of chocolate cake or having a pleasant surprise,” he explains.“It feels so good that the brain motivates us to do them again and again. As the proverb goes, it’s better to give than to receive. It makes you feel like your life is valuable.”

“It feels so good that the brain motivates us to do them again and again. As the proverb goes, it’s better to give than to receive. It makes you feel like your life is valuable.”

Teen hero in hospital bed, later smiling, exemplifies wholesome kindness posts.

Couple by a lake, gazing at their dog’s reflection, showcasing wholesome kindness in fulfilling a heartfelt request.

Two boys running in a cross country race, showcasing wholesome-kindness, one guiding the other with a rope.

Kindness is also contagious. “Kind acts can have a ripple effect—for example, giving a genuine compliment to a family member, friend, or colleague. When people receive kindness, they get an emotional boost and are more likely to help someone else,” Heshmat adds. “Just hearing that someone else has behaved kindly can motivate us to do the same.” These memes definitely add to the spread of the message!

Person comforting a clouded leopard, highlighting wholesome kindness in wildlife rescue.

Smiling man embraces children at school, showcasing a story of wholesome kindness and personal achievement.

Three women smiling together, a loaf of lemon cake with icing, symbolizing wholesome kindness posts.

Furthermore, Heshmat believes that “kind individuals may even be considered better-looking.““In other words, being a kind person could make people perceive you as more attractive. We are biologically wired to be drawn to people who are compassionate.”

Furthermore, Heshmat believes that “kind individuals may even be considered better-looking.”

“In other words, being a kind person could make people perceive you as more attractive. We are biologically wired to be drawn to people who are compassionate.”

A small puppy wrapped in a blanket, being held gently, capturing a moment of wholesome kindness.

Two men shaking hands, highlighting a heartwarming story of kindness and second chances.

Firefighter carrying elderly woman, both smiling, showing wholesome kindness during rescue operation.

We might even have data to back this up. A recentstudypublished in the British Journal of Social Psychology also suggests that people seen as kind and helpful are perceived as more physically attractive.In their new research, Natalia Kononov and Danit Ein-Gar focused on prosocial behavior—acts of kindness, cooperation, and helpfulness—and tried to understand whether this quality has a unique effect on perceptions of physical beauty. They hypothesized that people might feel motivated to associate with prosocial individuals, viewing them as more attractive because of an unconscious desire to form connections with people who display kindness.

In their new research, Natalia Kononov and Danit Ein-Gar focused on prosocial behavior—acts of kindness, cooperation, and helpfulness—and tried to understand whether this quality has a unique effect on perceptions of physical beauty. They hypothesized that people might feel motivated to associate with prosocial individuals, viewing them as more attractive because of an unconscious desire to form connections with people who display kindness.

Man holding a rabbit, showcasing wholesome kindness after a rescue, with an award in hand.

Elderly couple smiling during a video call, illustrating wholesome kindness.

Deer resting on a porch bed alongside a dog and a cat, showcasing wholesome kindness.

“Often, we use beauty metaphorically to describe admirable inner qualities, saying someone is ‘beautiful on the inside.’ I was curious to see if this perception has a basis in reality—whether kindness and generosity, qualities associated with inner beauty, actually influence how we perceive someone’s physical attractiveness. Our findings suggest this association isn’t just metaphorical; beautiful acts do, indeed, lead us to see people as more beautiful,”saysstudy author Natalia Kononov, a Fulbright Postdoctoral Fellow at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Doctors bow in respect to a young organ donor, highlighting an act of wholesome kindness.

Smiling man stands near a bus saved by a tree he planted 35 years ago, showcasing wholesome kindness.

Nurse brings patient’s dog to visit during rehabilitation, showcasing wholesome kindness.

The research consisted of ten studies with over 4,000 participants. The team designed a variety of scenarios to assess whether prosocial behavior influenced how physically attractive people appeared to others. Participants in different studies either observed real-life prosocial acts, read descriptions of kind behaviors, or imagined scenarios involving helpful behavior.To ensure the findings were comprehensive, the researchers accounted for several factors (they compared perceptions of attractiveness when participants saw people acting kindly versus in a neutral context) and explored how consistent prosocial behavior might affect attractiveness differently than one-time acts. They also examined whether the influence of kindness on perceived beauty was stronger than that of other positive traits like humor or intelligence.

To ensure the findings were comprehensive, the researchers accounted for several factors (they compared perceptions of attractiveness when participants saw people acting kindly versus in a neutral context) and explored how consistent prosocial behavior might affect attractiveness differently than one-time acts. They also examined whether the influence of kindness on perceived beauty was stronger than that of other positive traits like humor or intelligence.

Father and daughter in a toy kitchen setup; wholesome kindness post about patience and humor in parenting.

A man in a wheelchair smiles beside a young boy with crutches, showcasing a Wholesome-Kindness-Posts moment.

Man in a camo shirt and straw hat stands smiling on a farm next to a greenhouse, illustrating wholesome kindness.

The results were clear: there was a consistent link between prosocial actions and higher ratings of physical attractiveness. People who were described as engaging in kind or helpful behaviors were rated as more beautiful than those who were not. These findings held true for both male and female observers evaluating targets of either gender, suggesting a broad appeal of prosociality in enhancing physical attractiveness.

Police officer helping elderly man at a bank, illustrating wholesome kindness.

A man kneeling on a beach affectionately interacts with a Magellanic penguin, showcasing wholesome kindness.

Two policemen in Eindhoven showing wholesome kindness by cooking and doing dishes for children after an emergency.

“An interesting aspect of our findings is that the effect of prosociality on attractiveness was consistent across genders,” Kononov says. “Kindness and generosity made both men and women appear more attractive, regardless of who was being evaluated or who was doing the evaluating. This gender-universal appeal highlights just how broadly kindness can shape perceptions of beauty.”

Band members and a young fan with Down Syndrome lying on the floor, showcasing wholesome kindness.

Dog wearing a sweater with wrenches, part of wholesome-kindness-posts, sitting on a garage floor.

Girl holding an Award of Merit certificate, honored for her quick action during the 2004 tsunami. Wholesome kindness moment.

Elderly man at a table sharing wholesome kindness with cheese and wine; interacting with a small dog in a cozy kitchen.

Paramedic stands by stretcher facing the ocean, fulfilling patient’s last wish. Wholesome kindness captured by the sea.

Before and after photos of a happy dog showing wholesome kindness post-adoption transformation.

Man in a white shirt smiling, with text about a generous act for a charity auction. Wholesome-kindness-posts theme.

Man in a suit with a smile, celebrating a record-breaking achievement in granting wishes, epitomizing wholesome kindness.

Smiling man with vitiligo holding crocheted dolls, showcasing wholesome kindness by supporting kids with similar conditions.

Security guard getting autograph from little girl in princess dress, showcasing wholesome kindness posts at Magic Kingdom.

Father and son at a basketball game sharing a moment of wholesome kindness, with the father in work clothes.

A large group of fathers sitting in an auditorium for the Breakfast With Dads event, showcasing wholesome kindness.

Wholesome kindness post showing a pizza order with a request for extra olives, fulfilled with a pizza covered in olives.

Elderly man knitting with penguins wearing colorful sweaters; example of wholesome-kindness-posts.

Woman donating blood with a smile; insert of a blood bag, highlighting a heartwarming act of wholesome kindness.

Viral YouTuber smiles while holding rescued cat, symbolizing wholesome kindness and $200K fundraising success.

Man in a karate gi and casual clothes, reflecting on wholesome kindness post about karate experience with a young girl.