The universe is confusing and complicated, right? My god there's a lot going on. If you're not careful, you might even get overwhelmed.
Fear not though. For those of us looking for more smiles and more laughter in our lives, there's a whole world of fascinating facts to keep us entertained. We're talking about the kind of tidbits that are guarantted to put a smile on your face and a bounce in your step. Because when you get down to it, the world is a pretty great to place to live. And remembering that is what it's all about.
Here are 23 feel-good facts that'll turn even the most pronounced frown upside down.
We hope you enjoy.
1. You’re a Star
Turns out that humans are made of stardust: Our bodies are forged from the atoms that once made up long-gone stars and other celestial objects.
2. Director of Fun
A 6-year-old once applied for a job at a railroad museum and was hired as the "Director of Fun".
3. Big Babies
Baby elephants suck their trunks for comfort.
4. Parroting
Parrots and other pet birds that mimic human sounds will teach what they’ve learned to birds in the wild when given a chance.
5. Nuts
Each year, hundreds of new trees begin to grow because squirrels don't remember where they stashed their nuts.
6. Kind Chimps
Chimpanzees have a kind heart. They will help each other and even humans to get at hard-to-reach objects without being offered a reward.
7. Football Instead of Guns
German and British army men traded conflict games for football during Christmas of 1914. The World W1 enemies laid down arms and came together for a game in no man’s land.
8. Girl Power
The first digital computer was programmed by six women. The female mathematicians were part of a World WII computer coding program.
9. Not Lazy, Just Smart
According to one 2016 study, people who laze around are brainier that those who are constantly moving; people who think more need to relax more.
Come on people! There's a whole internet out there, full of hilarious pictures for you to explore.
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10. Chocolate Holidays
There are over 10 holidays that celebrate chocolate.
11. Holding hands
Stress, fear, and pain dissipate when you’re holding hands with someone you love.
12. In Love
Being in love improves your immune system and makes you feel stronger.
13. My Pebble is Your Pebble
Gentoo Penguins propose by giving their prospective mate a pebble. Oh, and they mate for life.
14. Memories
For a real pick-me-up, flip through old photo albums. Researchers have found that looking through these photos improves your mood more than if you had had a glass of booze or a piece of chocolate.
15. Happily Aging
As we get older, we become happier.
16. Smartening Up
Humans are smarter than ever: Our intelligence has collectively gone up about 20 IQ points in the last 70 years.
17. Smile
Smiling is contagious, and it lowers your heart rate.
18. Feel the Music
Music jogs your memory and makes you a kinder, gentler person, say scientists in the UK.
19. Power Pose
Even at your lowest, straightening up and standing tall will make you feel more positive and powerful.
20. Fresh Air
You feel best when the temperature outside is 13.9°C, but spending even as little as 20 minutes outdoors in good weather is scientifically guaranteed to give you a boost.
Nina Lawrenson/peopleimages.com, Adobe Stock
21. Sad Movies
Spectacular failures, horrible tragedies, and onscreen despair may have you wailing away, but at least one study has found that sad movies often leave you feeling better about your own life.
22. Booze and Strawberries
Scientists who have run chemical analyses say the centre of the galaxy smells like strawberries and tastes like booze.
23. Photo of Your Love
You can ease physical pain simply by looking at a photo of your lover.
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