Today’s Solutions: February 14, 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.

Vitamin D sun mental health

How vitamin D promotes brain health and better moods

Recently, vitamin D has been a hot topic for The Optimist Daily. We’ve shared a lot of stories about this important vitamin, from how to figure out if your body needs more of it (spoiler: it probably does!) to debunking common myths about it.  So far, we’ve focused a lot on how vitamin D Read More...

hands holding three different spices in scoopers

8 things to keep in mind for sustainably sourced spices

When it comes to what we put in our pantries, many of us are already thinking: organic, ethical, fair trade, and sustainable. However, one type of ingredient that may slip our minds is spices! We spice our foods with flavors from all around the world, so it’s important to consider how they’re Read More...

Person suffering from a migraine with a pillow over their head.

Your loved one suffers from migraines? Here's how to help them

For anyone who suffers from migraines, the pain can be unbearable. On the one hand, there is the physical pain of these recurring headaches. On the other hand, there’s the frustration of people downplaying just how much people with migraines can suffer. According to the National Headache Read More...

Gut biome anxiety

Your gut biome could be behind your anxiety

Here at The Optimist Daily, we regularly report on new findings about our incredible microbiome. Scientists keep uncovering more and more crucial roles these tiny microorganisms living in our gut play. From memory, to warding off chemotherapy side effects, to preventing brain damage in premature Read More...

French protest reproductive rights

To make citizens safer, France extended its abortion limit

In a win for the reproductive rights of French people, the deadline for having an abortion has been extended from 12 to 14 weeks. This limit now aligns with those of Spain and Austria, and its purpose is to increase safety and freedom for the country's citizens. France has seen a nationwide Read More...

group of colleagues talk with each other

Stop comparing yourself to others. Try this instead

As the old saying goes, comparison is the thief of joy—and humans love joy! So, why is it that we so often suffer from the tenacious tendency to compare ourselves to others? This impulse to compare is called “social comparison,” and there are two ways in which we engage with it. Upward Read More...

Group of teenage friends in casual relaxing with mobile phones outdoor

An effective treatment for gaming and internet addiction in teens

Everyone loves playing games. Whether that be a physical sport, board games, or video games, there is something innately human about wanting to play them. But for some, these hobbies can become addictive. The World Health Organization now recognizes being addicted to video games as a disease. Read More...

Seniors exercising aging well

Exercise trains your fat to help you age well

When you exercise, you train your muscles and your cardiovascular system, and even improve your immune system. Did you know that when you regularly exercise you are also training your fat cells?  A recent study from the University of Copenhagen shows that properly trained fat cells actually Read More...

3D Illustration Human Respiratory System Anatomy (Lungs) For Medical Concept.

Is this the end of organ transplant shortages?

According to the HRSA, 17 deaths occur in the US every day due to not receiving an organ before an illness progresses too far. Waiting times are on average three to five years, so it's about time we came up with some alternative solutions. A recent advance that hugely helped this effort was the Read More...

Coffee Caffeine Espresso

How caffeine may reduce your risk of heart attack

You might be enjoying a cup of coffee while you read this. Many of us enjoy the ritual of a morning coffee or tea, a little pick-me-up to clear the fog from our morning brain. Caffeine perks you up, helps your heart, and, sure, gives you the jitters if you have too much, but did you know that it Read More...