Key Takeaways
  • Repeatedly viewing negative information on social media can lower your mood and increase the risk of stress and depression.
  • "One good deed a day" and volunteering have been reported to offer health benefits, such as lowering cortisol, improving blood pressure, and reducing depressive symptoms.
  • Simply making small acts of kindness a daily habit can bring positive effects like gratitude and oxytocin release.
  • Combining a social media break (digital detox) with specific daily good deeds is highly effective.

Tired of Negative News on Social Media? Shift Your Mood with "One Good Deed a Day"

Social media is a great source of information and connection, but we often encounter political arguments, slander, and other people's picture-perfect posts, which can unconsciously bring us down. We, too, have found ourselves mindlessly scrolling through trends and comments, only to realize our mood had plummeted. That's why we recommend "one good deed a day." By consciously performing small acts of kindness every day, it becomes easier to reset a negative mindset.

What is "One Good Deed a Day"? — How to Find Sustainable Acts of Kindness

Examples of Small Daily Good Deeds

The key to "one good deed a day" is that it doesn't have to be a grand gesture. Specifically, it can be giving up your seat on the train, picking up trash on the street, saying thank you to a colleague, dropping a small amount of change into a donation box, or participating in a short volunteer activity. Even if you don't have a lot of time, you can always find an opportunity if you consciously look for it. When we actually tried this, simply deciding in the morning, "Who should I be kind to today?" changed how we saw our entire day.

The Scientifically Proven Health Benefits — Why It's Good for Your Body

The positive effects of kind actions and volunteering have also been demonstrated in research. Studies from the State University of New York at Buffalo and reports in the American Journal of Public Health suggest that supporting family and community can reduce stress and potentially lower the risk of mortality. There are also reports linking volunteering and donating to a decrease in cortisol, the stress hormone. Another study found that older adults who regularly volunteered had a lower risk of developing high blood pressure, suggesting that the suppression of cortisol contributes to blood pressure stability. Furthermore, it may help alleviate depressive symptoms, with reduced isolation and increased self-efficacy cited as contributing factors.

Practical Guide: "One Good Deed a Day" and Digital Detox You Can Start Today

Tips for Keeping It Up Every Day

- The morning one-sentence rule: Simply deciding, "I will do one kind thing today," is enough. - Make a small list: Jotting down action items like giving up your seat, picking up trash, complimenting someone, or donating makes it easier to turn into a habit. - Record your results: Writing down changes in your mood or a sense of accomplishment in a notebook helps maintain motivation. We keep it going by sharing our feelings as a team once a week.

How to Incorporate a Digital Detox

Excessive social media use negatively impacts sleep and stress. Some methods include turning off notifications after evening and moving social media apps to a folder on your home screen, avoiding screens for an hour before bed, or setting up a "mini-detox" where you cut off social media for just a few hours on the weekend. If you use your detox time to take a walk, participate in a short volunteer activity, or express gratitude to others, it creates a positive cycle.

Summary

When your mind is shaken by negative information on social media, there's no need to rush for a perfect solution. "One good deed a day," which involves incorporating small acts of kindness into your daily routine, is an easy-to-practice and sustainable method that research suggests has health benefits like lowering cortisol, improving blood pressure, and alleviating depressive symptoms. By adding a feeling of gratitude and combining it with a digital detox, you will likely notice a change in your mindset much sooner. First, try starting today by simply "saying thank you to someone." As we continue this practice, we have truly felt the positive changes in our own physical and mental well-being.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health-related decisions.