Today’s Solutions: August 23, 2026

Health

Finding good health news amidst a pandemic can be quite daunting. That’s not the case with The Optimist Daily, where positive news is in high supply. Our Health section covers the latest good news from the health sector, featuring solutions ranging from mental and physical health to immunity, nutrition, and cutting edge medical research.

Dance Therapy

Dance the cough away: how Kyrgyzstan folk dance treats COPD

Chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (COPD) is a very common and also treatable lung disease that can be caused by pollution and smoking. It is preventable, and there are many medications for it, but some medical professionals believe that this doesn’t go far enough to treat the Read More...

Reading on the train

San Francisco BART wants to get riders back with short stories

Many of us have whiled away the minutes on a bus or a train with a book. Now the Bay Area Rapid Transit District, the public transportation authority of San Francisco, is looking to attract riders back to public transportation by distributing short stories at select stations.  The BART will Read More...

Cranberries scattered on a white background.

Eating just one daily cup of cranberries could prevent dementia

Currently, there is no cure for dementia, a neurological disease that is predicted to impact around 152 million people by 2050. Research teams around the world are constantly working on ways to ward off the disease and find ways to treat it. The Optimist Daily has reported on many of these efforts, Read More...

Hydrogel

This gel film pulls drinking water from the air in even the driest places

Getting water to drought-stricken areas is an increasing concern for scientists. In the future, desalination systems will become simpler and more accessible to get water to those who need it, but another solution could be to just pull water right out of the air.  Engineers from the University Read More...

Cardiogram report, red decorative heart, and stethoscope on table.

Scientists use diabetes medication to treat heart disease

Our bodies have to regulate many processes daily: temperature, hydration, mineral balance, sugar levels, and many more. When these regulating processes get out of whack, this can lead to diseases and other serious health complications. This is exactly what happens in diabetes, where specialized Read More...

Chicago skyline aerial drone view from above, lake Michigan and city of Chicago downtown skyscrapers cityscape bird's view from park, Illinois, USA.

Urban greenery could have saved how many lives?

Boston University has recently released a series of papers revealing the benefits of greenery on mental and physical health. Previous studies have concluded that spending time in greenery reduces the risk of dementia and boosts cognitive function. Their most recent study is focussing on how Read More...

Berlin public transportation

Germany slashes public transportation costs to reduce fossil fuel dependence

In the energy standoff between Europe and Russia, Germany has taken many measures to accelerate the phasing out of oil and gas. It has resolved to make energy cheaper for homes and businesses. It has pushed plans to put solar panels on every public building by 2025.  Now, Germany has cut train, Read More...

view of sunburnt woman's back as someone rubs soothing cream into shoulder

How to properly treat a sunburn

This year promises to deliver very hot, very dry weather, especially across central and western North America. This means even though you plan to do everything you can to avoid it, you may at some point discover that you've stayed out a bit too long in the sun, and now you’re dealing with Read More...

amaranth plants and amaranth seeds on a table

The health benefits and uses of amaranth — an ancient Mesoamerican grain

It's no secret that the Russian invasion of Ukraine is disrupting the worldwide wheat supply—which leaves us wondering, what kind of wheat alternatives are there out there? If you’re looking to expand your whole-grain horizons beyond rice, corn, and quinoa, then perhaps consider giving Read More...

Cooling home

Seven tips for cooling your home without AC

Many of us can already feel the heated start of Summer, along with the urge to crank up the air-conditioning. While heatstroke is a serious health concern, a whole city blasting cool air into their homes presents a threat to the power grid. Some places like Texas are already experiencing Read More...