It’s so important to keep yourself educated and ‘in the know’ with what’s going on in society and in the world we’re living in. But likewise, it’s just as important to know how to surround yourself with positive media and information too. 

It’s very common to feel overwhelmed and exhausted when looking at the news and through social media, especially in the world we’re currently living in. Yes, there’s always the opportunity to take time out but ultimately, we live in a society where technology and media are part of our lives 24/7. So how do we ensure we’re still exposed and educated, without feeling overwhelmed and drowned by negativity? 

Surrounding yourself with positive media. It’s easy to get bogged down with the scary news agenda, so following, listening and reading media outlets that share a positive light can make a real difference to your everyday mental health, without feeling disconnected from the world.  

 A magazine dedicated to positive news stories is the Happiful Magazine; A magazine whose tagline is to “to create a healthier, happier, more sustainable society” is filled with features surrounding informative and inspiring stories surrounding mental health, mental wellbeing, and positivity. You can still get your celebrity fix with celebrities including Kelly Holmes, Louise Pentland & Holly Willoughby, but you’re finally able to find a magazine on the shelves of your supermarkets that leave you feeling lighter after reading it.  

 Another news outlet dedicated to all things positive is The Happy Newspaper by Emily Coxhead. I’ve been following Emily Coxhead on social and her newspaper @thehappynewspaper for years. Emily started The Happy Newspaper when she started to realise the negative impact the news agenda was having on society. The Happy Newspaper is a quarterly newspaper that shares everything from everyday heroes, small business triumphs to medical discoveries and environmental causes. I could definitely do with this newspaper coming out more than quarterly as it’s incredibly feel-good to read.  

Podcasts are another way I consume news, and one that I think everyone needs to listen to is The Happy Place by Fearne Cotton. A podcast that delves into finding inner happiness and pockets of joy in life with a wide range of guests including Dawn French, Russel Brand, Zoe Sugg and Gary Barlow. I love this podcast because everyone talks openly and it’s incredibly raw and real.  

 Although not an official ‘news’ source, social media is and has become something that we consume probably more than traditional news. It can be a brilliant tool for information, but it can also be incredibly saturated with negativity. Some Instagram accounts I love to follow include @humansofny, an account that shares the stories of people in New York city, the obstacles they face, or their triumphs in life. Some of the stories are heart breaking, but it highlights the momentous moments when people fall in love, get clean, reunite with loved-ones, makeup with friends, create families and everything in between and more. 

Add a little bit of positivity through your life in the way you consume media.