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.
High blood pressure? Potassium could help.
High blood pressure has received a good amount of press in recent months. New guidelines have lowered the definition of hypertension to a blood pressure of130/80 instead of 140/90. In addition, the DASH diet, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, a well-studied, evidence-based plan, continues to Read More...
This is the most relaxed way to boost your memory
Taking the occasional timeout when studying is necessary if you want to keep your brain fresh, and by time out, we mean doing literally nothing. New research suggests that we should aim for “minimal interference” during study breaks. It can boost both our short and long-term memory and improves Read More...
The flu and airports: here’s how to stay healthy in these germ havens
The CDC says this year’s flu season is on track to either rival or dethrone 2009’s swine flu. Three thousand people across the U.S. have died as a result of the flu in the first 20 days of 2018, according to the National Center for Health Statistics, and that number has likely Read More...
The promise of indoor, hurricane-proof ‘vertical’ farms
They might be an efficient way to produce food in a world with more-extreme weather—but only if growers can figure out a successful business Read More...
Could vitamin B hold the key to treating Alzheimer’s disease?
A deficiency in the brain’s ability to repair its own DNA leads to neuronal disfunction, which can lead to Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers may have found a potential therapy to improve this mental function of slowing age-related memory loss through the consumption of vitamin B-3. In a newly Read More...
Why this '5-4-3-2-1' mindfulness trick is so effective at beating anxiety
When anxiety starts to take over, it can feel impossible to gain perspective and get out of the spiral of worries. But next time you feel overwhelmed with anxious thoughts, a simple mindfulness trick may offer some Read More...
Learning to speak another language may protect against Alzheimer’s
If you fear Alzheimer’s, you may want to consider learning another language, new research indicates. The study confirms other findings that active brain use and exercises support memory building and Read More...
Get up, stand up! Why standing more throughout the day reduces heart attack risk
Research has linked sitting for long periods of time with a number of health concerns, including obesity and metabolic syndrome. By replacing 30 minutes of daily sitting with a simple activity, such as walking, housework, or even standing, you can drastically decrease your heart attack risk. Read More...
Malaria parasites killed quickly by blue dye
According to the World Health Organization, malaria is responsible for approximately 445,000 deaths every year. That number may be due to drop, however, as scientists have found that a human-safe blue dye kills parasites in patients' bloodstreams within two days – that's faster than has ever been Read More...
People with depression are more likely to say certain words
From the way you move and sleep, to how you interact with people around you, depression changes just about everything. It is even noticeable in the way you speak and express yourself in writing. Sometimes this “language of depression” can have a powerful effect on others. Just consider the Read More...