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.
US military treats PTSD veterans with meditation
Thousands of U.S. war veterans suffering from Post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) have successfully turned to Transcendental Meditation (TM) for treatment. The effort has been spearheaded by the David Lynch Foundation, a nonprofit founded by the Blue Velvet and Twin Peaks director to promote Read More...
Erasing hunger: Mushrooms can be grown everywhere and are just as filling as meat
Anyone can grow mushrooms almost anywhere. Mushrooms grow very well on used coffee grounds. They grow on the agricultural waste. Mushrooms provide easy opportunities for people to add more food to their diet at negligible cost—in that sense they can deliver a great contribution to eradicating Read More...
Research shows that taking breaks is just as vital as hard work
Many people work too much. Worse, in many places, there’s a culture that radiates that working harder is better and leaving the office early is looked down upon. Not only does this work culture lead to too much stress, but it’s also counterproductive. A lot of research on creativity shows that Read More...
Oxygen therapy reverses brain damage in two-year-old drowning victim
The heart can be restarted after a person has officially died. However, the resulting brain damage often means people struggle to return to their former motor function and mental capacity. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help. This treatment involves administering pure oxygen to a patient lying in a Read More...
New research shows that high-doses of vitamin D can heal sunburn
Being in the sun is good as it stimulates the production of vitamin D in our body. But you can overdo it, and sunburn is unhealthy. New research shows that the same vitamin D can help repair skin damage. Taking supplements—at very high doses—after sunbathing helps reduce redness, swelling, and Read More...
Why meditation is the new power lunch
The latest wellness trend spreading throughout the U.S. has nothing to do with exercise or nutrition. Instead, people are heading to studios to sit with their breath and their thoughts. Yes, meditation is drawing crowds, according to this Washington Post piece. In Washington D.C. alone, three new Read More...
Mediterranean diet now also linked to preventing dementia
Many studies show the benefits of the Mediterranean diet around vegetables, fish, grains and olive oil for healthier hearts, longer lives, stronger bones along with a reduced risk for diabetes and high blood pressure. A new study adds a new benefit to the list: the Mediterranean diet lowers your Read More...
Happiness can affect physical health
Subjective well-being may exert its effects on physical health through health behaviors, as well as through the immune and cardiovascular systems. Although scientists still are exploring and debating when happiness most affects health, there is no doubt that it can do so. With more research, it may Read More...
Forest bathing: A retreat to nature can boost immunity and mood
When my editors asked me to report on forest bathing, I packed a swimsuit. I assumed it must involve a dip in the water. It turns out, my interpretation was too literal. I met certified Forest Therapy guide Melanie Choukas-Bradley and several other women who'd come along for the adventure at the Read More...
These foods and nutrients can boost your mood and reduce symptoms of depression
Your diet influences your mood. In a recent study, a group of people with moderate to severe depression adopted a diet that encouraged eating whole foods while discouraging things such as refined foods, sweets, and fried food. After 12 weeks, the participants showed improvements in their mood and Read More...