Today’s Solutions: December 20, 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.

Book Excerpt: ‘Right Place,

Book Excerpt: ‘Right Place, Right Time’ーThe Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Home for the Second Half of Life

“The path from dreams to success does exist. May you have the vision to find it, the courage to get on to it, and the perseverance to follow it.” - Kalpana Chawla Did you know that the average human lifespan has increased by over 20 years in the last century alone? Humans are living longer, Read More...

Two climbers on Mont Blanc

Mont Blanc climber gets to keep his 2013 treasure discovery

A very fortunate climber is being allowed to keep a trove of emeralds and sapphires he found while exploring Mont Blanc in 2013. The climber stumbled upon the precious stones and turned them over to the authorities. After the authorities failed to find the gems’ rightful owner, the climber was Read More...

man stretches outside in the winter with mountains in the background

This is how much you need to stretch to combat winter stiffness

It’s no surprise that during the winter months—when we’re bracing ourselves against the unforgiving cold and brisk wind—that our bodies feel even stiffer than usual. Jeff Brannigan, program director at New York City-based stretching and mobility studio Stretch*d, says that the winter Read More...

Little Asiatic girl holds a sign reading love your Mother Earth

5 Surprising places you might find your climate mentor

Navigating your way into climate activism isn’t always easy. Having good examples to look up to, inspire you, and teach you as you start or continue your climate action journey is a huge asset, but they're not always easy to find. Luckily, a mentor in the traditional sense of the word isn’t Read More...

Mother and son reading a book on a yellow couch

Physical books beat tablets when it comes to storytime with kids

Most parents read books with their children before bed, but with the rise of modern technology, the iPad is quickly replacing the dog-eared picture book. However, new research indicates you might want to hold onto those physical books as they are more beneficial for cognitive development in Read More...

child's hands cupping a heart held by adult's hands

This year was hard, but that didn't quell these states' spirit of generosity

Navigating this year has been difficult, to say the least. Many of us are coping with the impacts of the ongoing pandemic and are grappling with the uncertainty of what the new year might bring. However, the challenges of this year did not stop the spirit of generosity—especially in New Read More...

Three women smiling while running on a bridge

Just 10 minutes of jogging is enough to improve your mental health

As little as 10 minutes of moderate jogging is enough to boost mood and brain activity. These are the findings of the latest study exploring the relationship between physical activity and mental health. Previous studies have primarily focused on cycling and its effects on our executive function. Read More...

a woman models a cardigan showcasing visible mending

Meet the knitwear designer teaching this waste-reducing knitwear trend

Scotland-based knitwear designer Flora Collingwood-Norris is on a mission to teach people how to mend their clothes in the name of using fewer resources and avoiding waste. The fashion industry is pretty wasteful, so why fan the flame by purchasing more clothes to replace torn or damaged Read More...

Woman laughs while working remotely in her livingroom

3 Ways to promote casual encounters within your remote or hybrid office

In the era of remote or hybrid employment, workers are missing out on the office culture experience. While we sit behind our screens, there’s little chance for casual interactions, serendipity, or building relationships and rapport. All these factors contribute to team building and creativity Read More...

Everything you need to know ab

Everything you need to know about tea tree oil

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Essential oil aficionados have long touted the many benefits of tea tree oil. On top of giving off a clean and calming scent for your home, tea tree oil can be a wonderful treatment for your skin and hair. Here are some things you should know about tea tree Read More...