40 happy pictures to take your mind off the news

1/41 SLIDES © William Steel / Solent News / Shutterstock

40 happy pictures to take your mind off the news

We can all agree the current news cycle is bleak, and many of us feel helpless and unable to fix situations beyond our control. It’s important to tune into what’s happening around the world… and it’s also important to take a mental vacation from time to time to relieve stress. To help you with the latter task, we’ve rounded up 40 pictures that’ll give you a chuckle or make you feel love.

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Foggy bottom

The sun peeking out from behind the clouds at the break of dawn… it’s the ultimate image to focus on to achieve some early morning Zen.

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Twinkle toes

Babies. There is nothing cuter. Literally.

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Friend time

Connecting with friends—it’s a surefire way to soothe the soul.

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Rolling waves

Science shows the sound of water can calm and relax, and there’s nothing more perfect than this wave captured at sunset.

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Happy hugs

Hugs, according to science, can make you feel like you’ve solved almost any problem.

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A mother’s love

The love between this mother and child leaps from the page.

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Keen kitten

Curiosity creates the cutest cats.

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Relaxing road trip

Oh the possibilities of exploring the “open road.”

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Good-for-you grass

Want to boost your mood and improve your overall health? Lay like a rug on the grass.

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Rising sun

Red sky at night, sailor’s delight (or so the saying goes).

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Squishmallow

Thinking about squishing this face is a guaranteed distraction from the day’s news.

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Happy face

The smile on this dog running through a grassy field is priceless.

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Beautiful breeze

Wind in the hair, don’t care! Science shows the many sounds of nature, including a soft breeze, can soothe the soul.

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Lovely lavender

You can almost smell the lavender that lines the shoreline of Lake Atitlán in Guatemala.

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Go fetch

Oversized stick, meet undersized dog; canines sure do love branches!

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Chatty Cathy

This giraffe has something to say. (And it’s clearly not afraid of humans!)

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Bird on a wire

This is one brave bird. (Hippos are exceptionally dangerous!)

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Fresh start

A sure sign that spring has sprung is the annual cherry blossom bloom. These can be found in Sweden.

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Float away

Babies and balloons—the perfect pair!

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Solo swim

Living on lake time and sitting with nature; it’s good for the soul.

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Open ocean

What lurks beneath the ocean’s surface can be breathtakingly beautiful.

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Perfect paddle

Imagine the sound of silence enveloping this canoer solo sailing along this glossy lake. Perfection!

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Sound of silence

Imagine it’s just you, nature, a soothing bath, and the sound of silence. Pure bliss!

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Mountain air

There’s so much beauty in and around the world.

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Quiet night

Simple nights spent celebrating are often a reminder of the sweetest things in life.

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Bird’s eye view

The world is better and feels a little bit brighter when you look at it from a different perspective.

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Sandy seashore

The feeling of sand shuffling beneath your feet—science says it can soothe and calm.

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Sweet slumber

Safe. Sweet. Secure. This baby looks like they’re having the best of sleeps. (Here’s how you can improve yours!)

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Happy in a hammock

Picture yourself here, swaying side to side in a soft hammock. (Research shows the motion can calm and relax!)

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Cannonball!

Oh the fun (and the many jumps!) that can be had with friends while waterside.

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New moon

A crisp night sky is simply awe-inspiring.

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Rolling water

Is there anything more soothing than the sounds and sights of a secluded waterfall?

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Fireside

Campfires… the sound, the smell. They’re breathtaking (and also psychologically beneficial).

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Feed me!

There’s only one thing these two chicks care about: food!

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Bright lights

There’s no phenomenon quite like the northern lights. It’s guaranteed to make you “aah.”

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Hanging around

These two scaled new heights (something mice are quite good at) to enjoy a little snuggle.

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Elephants at play

Baby elephants never look as happy as they do when playing in the water.