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.
Community fridges are popping up in New York to solve local food insecurity
In early February, Thadeaus Umpster found a free refrigerator on Craigslist. He intended to use the glass-door fridge, the kind you might find in a supermarket, to store donations for the weekly food share he helps run in Herbert Von King Park in Brooklyn. Just one problem: When he brought it Read More...
AI gives this prosthetic leg the ability to adjust to different terrains
While it can be relatively easy for a person with lower limb amputation to walk on flat ground using a basic prosthetic leg, walking up stairs or across uneven terrain with a prosthetic can be incredibly challenging. That’s why scientists are turning to robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) Read More...
What you can do to cope better with anger and heartbreak
At The Optimist Daily, we too can admit it’s been a tough, emotional time in America. As we collectively grieve and speak out against the racism and injustice around us, it's important to also make sure we're listening to our own bodies and pausing to take care of ourselves. If you're feeling Read More...
Grow veggies on your kitchen counter with just a jar and some water
If you want to grow your own vegetables at home, don’t be discouraged by a lack of gardening space. There are many easy ways to grow produce right on your kitchen counter! Earlier this month we shared a story about a knifty circular indoor farming gadget, but if you’re not ready to invest in Read More...
Engineers create UV-light machine that decontaminates 600 N95 masks an hour
During the coronavirus pandemic, the Optimist Daily has been dedicated to sharing solutions and the stories of human ingenuity behind them. Most recently, we wrote about an all-girl robotics team in Afghanistan that is working quickly to make ventilators using old car parts. Today, we bring you a Read More...
This natural coating makes produce last twice as long
It can be extremely frustrating to reach into the fridge for an avocado or handful of strawberries and find your produce pals have gone to mush. In addition to your personal disappointment and the toll on your wallet, food waste is responsible for eight percent of greenhouse gas emissions globally. Read More...
We now have an official definition for upcycled food. Here’s why it matters
Upcycled food is now an officially defined term, which advocates say will encourage broader consumer and industry support for products that help reduce food waste. Upcycling—transforming ingredients that would have been wasted into edible food products—has been gaining ground in alternative Read More...
Americans are finally starting to embrace the bidet
Bidet sales are up in America! Editorial confession: We’ve been hoping to write something like that for a long time. If you don’t know what a bidet is, it’s typically a small bathtub-like fixture situated next to the toilet, with taps on one end. Its tub is filled with water, and the user Read More...
Just 8 weeks of a fruit and vegetable-rich diet can improve heart health
An apple a day isn’t guaranteed to keep the doctor away, but following this philosophy is a good strategy for overall heart health. That’s according to a recently published research article from the journal Annals of Internal Medicine. The observational study looked at the data of people Read More...
How COVID-19 helped de-stigmatize virtual therapy resources
COVID-19 has exacerbated mental health struggles for many people, but seeking help can be difficult while social distancing. This combination of factors is why we are seeing online therapy tools hit their stride as safe, reliable, and affordable resources for individuals coping with mental health Read More...