Ever feel like you’re drowning in the relentless tide of negative news?

Sadly, violence, climate disasters and divisive politics, have been the unavoidable themes of this year, and consequently, it’s very easy to be sucked into the vortex of ‘doom scrolling’, spending too much time-consuming bad news.

Our mental health is a precious resource which has been tested over recent years. It’s easily whittled down by the daily barrage of doom and gloom.

I’m an academic teaching and researching positivity and laughter – no joke – but even I’ve found my positivity challenged and sense of humour subdued of late.

However, it doesn’t have to be this way.

Rather than spending endless hours doom scrolling and feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders, I’ve pivoted, putting to practice the theory of ‘cheer scrolling’, embracing diverse positive news stories. It’s about steering clear of news or social media that induces anger or upset, choosing instead content that leaves you feeling cheerful, buoying our mood rather than burying it.

Positive news has a real impact on our health. It triggers hormones linked to wellbeing.

Dopamine activates our brain’s reward centre, Oxytocin, fosters trust, Serotonin, acts as a natural antidepressant and Endorphins, manage pain. This positive influence, provides a DOSE of wellbeing, helping regulate stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline.

Prolonged exposure to negative images, experiences and stories may lead to anger, anxiety, depression and foster disconnection amongst people. Which can in turn have a direct physical effect contributing to inflammation and decreased immune function.

The longer you succumb to rabbit holes of darkness the worse you will tend to feel.

Embracing balance is the key, and we must take responsibility for the content we allow into our minds, solely focusing on negative news fuels a sense of hopelessness and the perception that all humanity is bad, without hope for our future.

There’s no need to get off the grid, instead shift planes.

Take ownership of your time and with whom you share it and cheer scroll. Transition from doom to bloom.

This is vital not only for our mental health but also to inspire a more optimistic, trusting world.

Ros Ben-Moshe is an adjunct lecturer in the School of Public Health and Psychology at La Trobe University. Her latest book is, “The Laughter Effect – How to Build Joy, Resilience and Positivity in Your Life.”