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.
Why you shouldn’t peel all your vegetables
In her book, Zero Waste Home, Bea Johnson reveals that she doesn’t own a vegetable peeler. As a result, “food prep is much faster, my compost output (peelings) is considerably reduced, and we benefit from the vitamins that are locked into vegetable skins.” Is it crazy not to peel your Read More...
Zebrafish brains reveal new information about our memories
It seems like we're writing about fish a whole lot lately! Last week, we featured an article about goldfish learning to drive. This week, zebrafish, a species studied for their relatively long lifespans, are helping us understand how memories are made! Let's talk synapses! Signals in the brain Read More...
Virtual reality therapy increases comfort and access
One trend we've seen coming out of these past several years of pandemic-induced stress and uncertainty is a growing appreciation for mental health, as well as a willingness to seek treatment for mental distress. The rise of electronic communications led to more access and novel approaches to Read More...
10 Reasons to pick up a paintbrush: Good for your heart and soul
The cold winter weather combined with continuing concern for our health and safety during the pandemic may mean that many of us are opting to spend more time indoors these days. To keep boredom from taking hold, try to see this as an opportunity to delve into some fun hobbies that are not only Read More...
Keep back pain away with these spine-strengthening exercises
The spine is one of the most integral parts of the human body. It’s connected to almost every movement we engage in, so it’s very important to keep it strong and healthy. Here are four exercises to maintain a healthy spine. Back extension The erector spinae is the largest muscle group in the Read More...
Scientists invent the fastest DNA sequencing tool yet
A record breaking technique A team from the Stanford School of Medicine has created a new method of mega-sequencing. Using this, individuals can have their three billion plus nucleotides read in just over five hours, a record breaking time! "A few weeks is what most clinicians call 'rapid' when Read More...
This ingredient is linked to decreased risk of mortality
Olive oil is a delicious and versatile ingredient that can be both the finishing detail drizzled on top of pasta, flatbreads, and salads, or the very first component in your cooking process. If you love to incorporate olive oil in your meals, then you’ll be pleased to find out that according to a Read More...
Ketamine as an effective tool in treating alcoholism
In a follow up from a story published earlier this month on ‘How ketamine can help fight depression,’ we are going to report on new data published from a recent clinical trial. This time instead of depression, doctors administered this drug to people suffering from alcoholism. The clinical Read More...
Snacking on this food will curb your sugar cravings, according to a dietician
Sugar cravings—we all have them. They’re probably the most challenging obstacle to overcome when we’re trying our darndest to stick to a healthy diet that we know is good for our body and mind. Luckily, there are ways we can fight off intense sugar cravings when they rear their heads. One Read More...
Samaritans pilot a project aimed at suicide prevention in UK
UK-based suicide prevention charity Samaritans has teamed up with Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in Cambridge to create the nation’s first digital-only suicide prevention support program. The idea behind offering digital-only support is to accommodate the communication preferences of anyone in Read More...