Gender
NHS expands free morning-after pill access across England: a major win for women’s health
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In a sweeping expansion of women’s health services, the National Health Service (NHS) made the morning-after pill available for free across nearly 10,000 pharmacies in England. The change, which began this week, means anyone who needs emergency Read More...
Move Over Bob: changing the trades so women don’t just join the workforce—they lead it
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Building new foundations Welcome to the third installment of The Optimist Daily’s Annual Local Changemakers series. Over five weeks, we’re celebrating ten extraordinary individuals and organizations transforming their communities through heart-led Read More...
How Swim Sista Swim Is Redefining Water Confidence for Black Women in the UK
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Language, Identity & Belonging Welcome to the second week of The Optimist Daily’s Annual Local Changemakers series. Each Friday, we highlight people who are quietly transforming what it means to feel seen and included. This week, we focus on voice, Read More...
Stronger after 40: the smarter way men should train to build muscle and avoid injury
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM There’s no rule that says strength has to fade with age. But after 40, how you train matters more than ever. Your workouts don’t have to get easier, but they do have to get smarter. For men navigating this new phase of fitness, the challenge often lies Read More...
Closing the longevity gap: what research reveals about why women live longer
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Across the animal kingdom, females tend to live longer than males, and the same is true for humans. In the U.S., the gap has actually increased to 5.8 years in 2021. The average life expectancy for men is nearly 76 years, while women live to around 81 years. Read More...
Should women rethink cold plunges? What science says about gender, stress, and ice baths
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Cold plunges have become a staple in many wellness routines. From viral TikToks to health retreats, everyone seems to be diving into icy tubs for muscle recovery, mental clarity, and stress relief. But a growing number of experts are urging women to approach Read More...
Senegal’s “schools for husbands” are saving mothers’ lives by reshaping masculinity
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM On a balmy evening in Dakar, Imam Ibrahima Diane stood before a circle of men and made a simple but radical point: a good husband does more than provide. He bathes his baby. He helps in the kitchen. He supports his wife. Quoting scripture, Diane told the Read More...
Want to boost birthrates? Research says men need to do their part at home
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM According to certain political movements, the solution to falling fertility rates sounds simple: women should leave the workforce and start producing more babies. But Nobel Prize-winning economist Claudia Goldin suggests the opposite may be true. Her latest Read More...
Ovarian cancer symptoms you shouldn’t ignore: what to watch for and how to lower your risk
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Cancer doesn’t always announce itself with dramatic symptoms, which makes early detection and treatment difficult. This is especially true for ovarian cancer. Doctors often call it a “silent killer” because many people feel fine until the disease is Read More...
Breaking free: the Indian retreats helping women heal from divorce and rediscover hope
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM On a bus winding through Kerala’s misty hills, 15 women sing softly together, their voices rising above the tea plantations. For many, it’s the first time they’ve felt this light in years. They aren’t here for sightseeing. They’re here for Read More...