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.
Redesigning houses in sub-Saharan Africa can reduce malaria infections
While some scientists are working to develop malaria vaccines with higher efficacy, others are keeping busy with more low-tech solutions to prevent the spread of this deadly disease. One of the latest of such solutions comes from scientists at Durham University who discovered that building Read More...
Healthy gut bacteria can ward off chemotherapy side effects
Maintaining your gut health, also known as a healthy microbiome, is critical for promoting healthy digestion and building a strong immune system. Now, research from Northwestern University indicates that healthy gut bacteria can even ward off the damaging side effects of chemotherapy. To come Read More...
Try these two simple, science-backed tricks to stop procrastinating
While many may think otherwise, procrastination is not a behavior rooted in laziness. Rather, people engage in procrastination in a bid to avoid the “negative feelings associated” with that task, explains Timothy A. Pychyl, Ph.D., a psychology professor at Canada’s Carleton University and a Read More...
Petting therapy dogs can help college students cope with stress
Dogs have been valuable in supporting firefighters during wildfire season and relieving loneliness for seniors, but these aren't their only benefits. Now, a new study finds that petting therapy dogs can provide college students with stress relief benefits that last up to six weeks. Coming from Read More...
Soccer star Marcus Rashford raises millions to tackle child food poverty
Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford has definitely proved himself as an exceptional soccer player, but more recently, the 23-year-old footballer made headlines for something else — donating millions of dollars to charities dedicated to feeding vulnerable children during the Read More...
This startup is transforming front lawns into neighborhood farms
American households use more than 7 billion gallons of water per day just to tend to their lawns. Some experts estimate that up to 50 percent of that water is wasted due to evaporation, wind, or runoff. But what if we could use those lawn spaces for something more meaningful, such as growing local Read More...
Scientists successfully use CRISPR to lower cholesterol in monkeys
Did you know that as it stands, approximately one person every 36 seconds dies in the US from cardiovascular disease? Thanks to scientists from the University of Pennsylvania and private company Verve Therapeutics, this dismal statistic may soon change for the better. The researchers have Read More...
The Optimist View: Celebrating Mental Health Week
“Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” — Christopher Robin from Winnie the Pooh In the wake of a pandemic which saw increased rates of depression and anxiety, this year’s Mental Health Month feels Read More...
The psychedelic therapy movement is hitting its stride
We’ve shared before on The Optimist Daily how alternative medications like psilocybin and even MDMA could be used to treat depression and PTSD with more permanent results. With promising studies adding to the body of research supporting these therapies, we are beginning to see a monumental shift Read More...
This simple trick can significantly boost your brain health
We have previously shared a few habits you can integrate into your day-to-day life to improve your brain health. Now, we have another simple trick that you can practice to keep your brain sharp. Using your non-dominant hand The trick comes from neuroscientist and author of Biohack Your Brain Read More...