Spain is on the verge of implementing a basic income program
The coronavirus has prompted governments around the world to think of ways to pandemic-proof the world. One of the main ideas that is gaining traction is universal basic income (UBI), something we’ve written quite a few stories about (see here and here). If you’re not familiar with UBI, Read More...
These water-soluble cubes are helping hotels reduce plastic waste
When it comes to tackling the ubiquitous problem of plastic waste, the only solutions actually able to put a dent in this urgent environmental crisis are the ones that encourage reducing and reusing plastic in the first place. That’s why here at The Optimist Daily we are always happy to share Read More...
How to use stress hormones to your advantage
When we are stressed, our bodies’ natural response is to create stress hormones. This is the feeling you get when you enter a big interview, before you give an important speech, or have to have a difficult conversation with your boss. People in high stakes jobs, like professional athletes and Read More...
This tannery turns discarded billy goat hides into biodegradable leather
While the Optimist Daily is staunchly against killing animals for the sole purpose of harvesting fur or making leather, we do believe that if an animal is killed in the livestock industry, then all of its parts should be put to use instead of wasted. In the UK, commercial goat-milking is growing Read More...
Critically endangered turtles hatch undisturbed on people-free beaches
At the start of each April, people on the northeastern shorelines of Brazil can witness the critically-endangered hawksbill sea turtles emerge from their eggs and make their first steps into the waters of the Atlantic. But as people have been advised to stay indoors to slow the spread of the Read More...
This online auction is selling fine wine to support restaurant workers
Napa Valley wineries are teaming up with Winebid.com to give people great wine and an opportunity to support restaurant workers during the COVID-19 outbreak. With the help of the online platform, a group of wineries will host weekly auctions of fine wine for an even finer cause with profits going Read More...
Add these foods to your diet to give your digestive system a boost
Here's the deal: Everything you eat, whether it's a cheeseburger or salad, takes your body a certain amount of energy to digest. Since we're all eating three (or more!) times daily, one of the easiest things you can do to kick up your digestive system and massively take the burden off your body's Read More...
Having trouble sleeping? Try one of these eight strategies for better rest
Stress is one of the biggest factors that inhibit healthy sleep patterns. Managing a new schedule under anxious conditions can make life feel a little upside down right now. If you’re having trouble sleeping, you’re definitely not alone. One study by the CDC found that one-third of Americans Read More...
Urban planners now know which tree is best for sound absorption in the city
Cities are notoriously noisy places, which is why urban planners are increasingly turning to trees as a buffer for noise. To identify which trees do the best job at muffling noise, researchers from University College London (UCL) recently evaluated 13 species of tree such as beech or willow trees Read More...
Bill Gates willing to lose billions to accelerate COVID-19 vaccine discovery
In a bid to fast-track research into the much-needed coronavirus vaccine, Bill Gates has shifted his philanthropic foundation into high gear by investing billions of dollars in the construction of factories for seven different vaccine candidates. Gates said that even though the foundation would Read More...