Lifestyle
Alongside taking care of other people and the planet, make sure you take good care of yourself. The Lifestyle section at the Optimist Daily has solutions for everyday wellbeing on topics like food, beauty, fashion, and the latest trends. Curious about caring for houseplants, eating plant-based, or parenting tips? It’s all in there.
3 organization hacks for Type B brains that actually work
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Scroll through any productivity blog or time-management book, and you’ll find a familiar formula: rigid routines, detailed planners, and the unspoken assumption that success comes from consistency and control. These methods often work well… for Type-A Read More...
More US states and cities are boosting minimum wages in 2026. What does it mean for workers?
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM As the federal minimum wage remains frozen at $7.25 an hour, unchanged since 2009, cities and states across the United States are taking matters into their own hands. In 2026, 88 jurisdictions will raise their minimum wage rates, offering millions of workers Read More...
8 fermented foods that your gut will love (and that taste great, too!)
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Fermented foods have been a dietary staple in many cultures for centuries, but in the U.S., they’re only recently starting to get the attention they deserve. From sauerkraut in Germany to kimchi in Korea, many traditional cuisines have long leaned on Read More...
India’s social experiment: how paying women directly reshapes welfare, autonomy, & politics
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Across India, millions of women now receive a modest but unwavering deposit each month into their bank accounts. The money is not tied to a job, a poverty line, or a performance requirement. It arrives because state governments have decided that women’s Read More...
Vision board ideas for adults: how to create one that inspires real change
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM A vision board might look like a crafty throwback to childhood afternoons spent collaging. But don’t write it off now that you’re #adulting. This practice is far more than a cut-and-paste project. Vision boards are a creative and science-backed tool for Read More...
7 cold and flu season mistakes doctors want you to quit making
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM You’ve heard the warnings: cold and flu season is no joke. But despite our best intentions (and fully stocked vitamin C stash), plenty of us still fall into avoidable traps when trying to fend off seasonal bugs. Sure, COVID has dominated the conversation Read More...
Gift shopping for a loved one with cancer this holiday season? Here’s what actually helps
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The holiday season tends to magnify the pressure to find the perfect gift, especially when the recipient is facing cancer. People often hope that a warm gesture will communicate affection, encouragement, and presence during a frightening time. Yet gift giving Read More...
Smelling your own farts might be good for your brain, science says
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM It’s long been the butt of jokes, but the science is catching up: fart gas might actually be good for you. Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine say that hydrogen sulfide, the chemical behind that telltale rotten-egg smell, might help protect the aging Read More...
3 so-called bad habits that might actually be making you a better person
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Let’s be honest. Most of us have habits we wish we could kick. Maybe it’s venting too much after a stressful day, putting off that one task for tomorrow (again), or chatting about a coworker’s awkward lunchroom behavior. We often see these behaviors as Read More...
How to build a life that feels good: 5 guiding principles to happiness
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM If you’ve spent any time online lately, you know the world isn’t exactly short on advice. It feels like everyone is ready and willing to talk over each other and shovel out unsolicited counsel: “Fix your mindset.” “Rewrite your habits.” “Become Read More...