Today’s Solutions: December 19, 2025

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.

Fresh Food In Garbage Can To Illustrate Waste.

How to cut down on your food waste

Cutting down on food waste helps the environment in a number of important ways. Most obviously, it saves the resources and energy that go into producing unneeded food at every step of the supply chain, from farming to packaging and shipping. Food that winds up rotting in landfills also produces Read More...

woman's hands apply sunscreen to arm

Squid-inspired device warns you when you've had too much sun

Spring is just around the corner—but before we get too excited to throw on our swimsuits and sunbathe in the park, it’s important to remember that we have to be careful when it comes to sun exposure.  Even though those lovely warm rays may feel great against bare shoulders, it’s been well Read More...

homeless woman begs on a street in London, UK

The UK repeals anti-homelessness law

The UK Vagrancy Act criminalizes sleeping outside and begging—essentially homelessness—in England and Wales. Under this law, police have the power to arrest people found begging in public, or in enclosed spaces. Anyone convicted of these crimes is charged with up to £1,000 in fines along with Read More...

Man with dark hair lathers shampoo in the shower

Experts reveal which is better: hot or cold showers?

For when your mind is foggy, your body is tired, or when you just need to shake yourself out of a mood, taking a shower is one of the most refreshing things you can do! Whether you prefer piping hot sessions to quick cold spray downs, a good shower has the power to make anyone feel Read More...

Vitamin D sun mental health

How vitamin D promotes brain health and better moods

Recently, vitamin D has been a hot topic for The Optimist Daily. We’ve shared a lot of stories about this important vitamin, from how to figure out if your body needs more of it (spoiler: it probably does!) to debunking common myths about it.  So far, we’ve focused a lot on how vitamin D Read More...

hands holding three different spices in scoopers

8 things to keep in mind for sustainably sourced spices

When it comes to what we put in our pantries, many of us are already thinking: organic, ethical, fair trade, and sustainable. However, one type of ingredient that may slip our minds is spices! We spice our foods with flavors from all around the world, so it’s important to consider how they’re Read More...

Person suffering from a migraine with a pillow over their head.

Your loved one suffers from migraines? Here's how to help them

For anyone who suffers from migraines, the pain can be unbearable. On the one hand, there is the physical pain of these recurring headaches. On the other hand, there’s the frustration of people downplaying just how much people with migraines can suffer. According to the National Headache Read More...

How looking at art can boost p

How looking at art can boost problem-solving skills

If you appreciate The Optimist Daily’s focus on solutions, then you’re probably a fan of problem-solving in your own life. Well, if you’re looking for a way to enhance your ability to solve problems, then a trip to an art museum or gallery (in real life or online) can be just what you Read More...

2022 International Women's Day

Unbound and unbiased: Why international women’s day still matters

“I do not wish women to have power over men, but over themselves.” –Mary Read More...

group of colleagues talk with each other

Stop comparing yourself to others. Try this instead

As the old saying goes, comparison is the thief of joy—and humans love joy! So, why is it that we so often suffer from the tenacious tendency to compare ourselves to others? This impulse to compare is called “social comparison,” and there are two ways in which we engage with it. Upward Read More...