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.
Why fewer Americans are drinking alcohol—and what’s replacing it
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Only 54 percent of Americans say they drink alcohol, according to a recent Gallup poll. This is the lowest figure in the poll’s 85-year history. It’s a one-point drop from the previous low in 1958, and a stark shift from 1978, when 71 percent of Americans Read More...
How to prepare for a hard conversation when you hate conflict
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM If your pulse spikes at the infamous words “We need to talk,” you’re not alone. For many people, conflict feels synonymous with shouting, crying, or someone storming off. But as therapist Aparna Sagaram, LMFT, explains, that mindset doesn’t serve us Read More...
The slow demise of fur: how fashion, policy, and activism helped millions of animals
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In 2014, over 140 million animals like minks, foxes, and raccoon dogs were farmed and killed for their fur. By 2023, that number dropped to around 20 million, according to a Humane World for Animals analysis using global and industry data. Though it excludes Read More...
7 pilates mistakes instructors notice (and what to do instead)
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORAL TEAM Pilates isn’t about going harder or faster. It’s about precision. To an outsider, it can look like “not much,” because the work happens in tiny, controlled ranges. “It might feel very different than what you’re used to,” says certified instructor Read More...
The grass-eating mystery: why cats and dogs snack on greens
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM You’re out walking your dog or watching your cat in the backyard when, out of nowhere, they start nibbling grass like it’s a gourmet salad. It's odd behavior, especially for cats, who are strict carnivores. So what's going on here? According to Dr. Read More...
How to cut grocery bills and waste less: 9 clever, planet-friendly hacks
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM We all know that grocery prices are currently astronomical. Now pair that with another stat: the U.S. Department of Agriculture says 30 to 40 percent of food ends up in landfills, producing methane, a greenhouse gas even more potent than carbon dioxide. Read More...
Ancient conch blowing practice shows promise for easing sleep apnea symptoms
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM An ancient breathing practice involving conch shells could help ease the symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition affecting millions in the UK, new research suggests. Known as conch blowing or shankh blowing, the ritual involves a deep Read More...
5 avoidable injuries that send people to the ER (and how to stay out of trouble)
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM ER visits aren’t always the result of dramatic car crashes or exotic animal bites. Sometimes it’s just you, your kitchen, and an innocent-looking avocado conspiring to ruin your Tuesday. According to ER doctors, a huge portion of emergency room injuries Read More...
Back-to-school shopping without the meltdown: How to keep trends and budgets in check
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM For parents of tweens and teens, August often brings the same showdown: a wish list brimming with the latest must-have styles and a budget that’s not budging. That Stanley cup your kid swears will change their life? The wide-leg jeans that cost more than Read More...
Monotasking is the mental reset your brain has been waiting for
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM You’ve likely been there: toggling between Slack, Zoom, lunch, and a dozen browser tabs. Or maybe you’ve caught yourself scrolling through your phone, half-watching TV, and barely listening to your partner speak. In a world that celebrates productivity, Read More...