Eight in 10 Americans in a new poll said they were desperate to hear some positive news in the remainder of 2020—and believed the constant stream of bad news has taken a toll.
The survey asked 2,000 Americans nationwide about how they’ve coped with the stress of this year.
The ‘good news’ is that 7 in 10 respondents have made it a priority to do something positive every day as the quarantine continues.
The top goal, shared by 43% of respondents, is just to make at least one person smile every day. 34% are trying to make someone laugh daily, and to make it a priority to share positive news with their loved ones.
And when respondents need some cheering up themselves, their recipe is turning on their favorite movie (46%) and eating their favorite snack (43%).
Forty-three percent of respondents also go for a walk, four in 10 respondents call a friend, and 38% snuggle up with their pet.
A quarter of respondents also shared that they sing in the shower for a pick-me-up and 19% even have a solo dance party to get in better spirits.
Thirty-eight percent of those surveyed mentioned they’re donating to local charities to foster positivity and 28% are finding a safe way to volunteer.
Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Vitamin Angels for Giving Tuesday, the survey included six in 10 respondents who said the difficulties of 2020 and COVID-19 have led them to give back to their community even more—and 66% were in agreement that their communities are closer than ever.
Despite the stress of COVID-19, 78% of respondents also said the pandemic has made it more important than ever to give back to their local communities.
In fact, 42% of those polled have increased their donations to charities during COVID-19, saying they have donated to an average of four charities throughout the year, with the average totaling $36.47 a month.
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Half of those polled are also donating to charities that are currently addressing COVID-19, with 87% of whom saying they’re more likely to support causes that are specifically helping women and children impacted by the pandemic.
Over half of respondents (57%) also plan to increase their planned holiday donations because of the impact of COVID-19.
“Communities in the U.S. and around the world were already vulnerable before COVID-19 and now is the time when they need us most,” said Howard Schiffer, Vitamin Angels Founder & President.
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“Right now, we have an opportunity to come together and take what has been one of the hardest years in our lives, and turn it into one of our best, positive actions; to help the most vulnerable in our communities.”
And as respondents look to the new year, three-quarters are hoping to start off fresh and share positivity as much as they can, with another eight in 10 hoping others will do the same.
The top goals to share positivity in 2021 included having a more positive outlook in life (52%) and trying not to focus on the negative things as much (50%).
Forty-eight percent of respondents are also aiming to take better care of their mental health, and a third of respondents want to donate more to charity and to amp up their volunteering commitments.
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“This holiday season is a great opportunity to connect with loved ones and share some much-needed positivity,” said Schiffer. “Another way to share positivity is giving back to at-risk members of our communities.”
TOP THINGS AMERICAN DO TO CHEER THEMSELVES UP IN 2020
Watching their favorite movie – 46%
Eating their favorite snack – 43%
Going for a walk – 43%
Calling a friend – 40%
Cuddling their pet – 38%
Taking a nap – 37%
Hugging a loved one – 37%
Baking cookies – 31%
Singing in the shower – 25%
Having a solo dance party – 19%
TOP POSITIVITY GOALS DURING COVID-19
Try to make someone smile once a day – 43%
Donate money to local charities – 38%
Share positive news with their loved ones – 34%
Try to make someone laugh once a day – 34%
Volunteer in a safe, social distancing compliant fashion – 28%
GOALS FOR 2021
Have a more positive outlook in life – 52%
Try not to focus on the negative things in life as much – 50%
Take better care of their mental health – 48%
Donate more money to charity – 34%
Volunteer in their community more – 32%
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